Ballard lifted his hat and bowed low, for she was one of his boarders who paid promptly. After speaking pleasantly to Marcus Donald and Homer Winthrop, she said:
“I am very glad you are here, Mr. Ballard, I want to ask your advice.” Dick Ballard was all attention, for if there was any one thing he liked to do better than another—barring a drill exercise with his state militia company—it was to give advice. Homer Winthrop, noticeably confused, pushed the best chair forward and invited Miss Bonifield to be seated.
“Thank you,” said she, looking kindly at Homer, who, in turn, hushed scarlet. “What I wish to ask is in regard to an investment in Waterville.’
“Why, in what way?” asked Dick Ballard.
“In regard to making a purchase of town lots as an investment.”
Ballard coughed immoderately, cleared his throat several times, “a-hemmed,” got red in the face, looked helplessly toward Marcus Donald, and finally said:
“Nothin’ like it in the world, Miss Bonifield; best investment on earth. There’s not another place in the United States will come out of the kinks like Waterville. No, sir; if I had a million I’d plant every dollar of it in Waterville, every dollar. My land!” said he, glancing at his watch, “it is three o’clock! Well, I must be goin’.” With this he took up his hat and hastily left the room.
“Is this a map of the town?” asked Miss Virgie Bonifield, rising and approaching a map that hung on the wall near where Marcus Donald was seated.
“Yes, that is one of the best maps that has ever been gotten out,” said Marcus Donald, adjusting his gold-rimmed spectacles.
“And where is Eagle’s Addition?” Marcus Donald pointed it out.