"It feels like a new world," added another.
"What a blessing it will be to be warm and dry once more!" put in a third.
"We have made fires in your rooms, ladies," interposed the polite landlord, doubly courteous under the avalanche of good fortune which had fallen upon him. "I will show you your rooms as soon as you wish."
"Let us get warm before we do anything," said Mr. Hamilton, removing his heavy coat. "You have a very nice house, Mr. Bennington."
"We think it is pretty fair down here," replied the modest landlord. "We have a parlor up one flight, with a bed-room on each side, which Leopold always calls 'Mr. Hamilton's rooms.' I think they will suit you; at any rate, I fitted them on purpose for your use."
"That was very considerate," laughed the merchant.
"The three rooms will just accommodate your family. I have four other parlors, not quite so large, with one bed-room to each," continued the landlord, looking around at the New Yorkers, as if to ascertain their wants. "Of course you needn't have private parlors, if you don't want them. I have plenty of nice single rooms."
"We want the private parlors," replied Mr. Hamilton. "I did not expect to find such accommodations in Rockhaven."
"I think I know what a hotel ought to be," added the landlord. "By and by, if our guests don't want private parlors, we shall put beds in them."
"Squire Moses says you have raised the price," laughed the rich merchant.