"Ain't you New York men the quick ones to see!" said Mrs. Wilson. "Of course they was friends. The day he come Mr. Hardy was over to Charlie's all the livelong afternoon."
"Did Mr. Hardy get very many letters, or anything, through the mail?"
"Well, of course, I offered to go to the post-office, and bring him everything," said Mrs. Wilson, "but he went himself. So I don't know what he got, or who it come from. Not that I read anything but the postals and——"
"Did he get any packages sent by express?"
"Not that come to my house, for little Jimmie Vane would have brought 'em straight to me."
Garrison went directly to the mark around which he had been playing.
"Who delivered his birthday present—the box of cigars?"
"Oh, that was his niece, the very first evenin' he was here—and she the prettiest girl I ever seen."
"His niece?" echoed Garrison. "Some young lady—who brought them here herself?"
"Well, I should say so! My, but she was that lovely! He took her up to Branchville to the train—and how I did hate to see her go!"