The home of her girlhood seemed dreadfully shabby, small, and old-fashioned 42
I soon found that every one else in the office, Anthy included, had begun to be interested in Nort 91
"I tell you, Miss Doane," said Nort, explosively, "the only way to make a success of the _Star_ is to publish the truth about Hempfield----" 169
"Practical!" he exploded. "You are a blackguard, sir! You are a scoundrel, sir!" 185
The old Captain was perfect. He was a very pattern of gallantry 268
"Toys! Mere circus tricks to take in fools!" 310
"I couldn't stay away another minute. I had to know what the old Captain said and did when the flying machine came to Hempfield" 314
Fergus stuck his small battered volume of Robert Burns's poems in his pocket--and going out of the back door struck out for the hills 332
For years my sister Harriet and I confined our relationships with the neighbouring town of Hempfield to the Biblical "yea, yea" and "nay, nay," not knowing how much we missed, and used its friendly people as one might use an inanimate plough or an insensate rolling-pin, as mere implements or adjuncts in the provision of food or clothing for our needs.
It came only gradually alive for us. As the years passed the utilitarian stranger with whom we traded became an acquaintance, and the acquaintance a friend. Here and there a man or a woman stepped out of the background, as it were, of a dim picture, and became a living being. One of the first was the old gunsmith of whom I have already written. Another was Doctor North--though he really lived outside the town--whom we came to know late in his career. He was one of the great unknown men of this country; he lives yet in many lives, a sort of immortality which comes only to those who have learned the greatest art of all arts, the art of life. The Scotch preacher, whom we have loved as we love few human beings, was also in reality a part of the town, though we always felt that he belonged to our own particular neighbourhood. He was ever a friend to all men, town or country.
It has always been something of a mystery to me, when I think of it, how I happened for so long to miss knowing more about old Captain Doane, and MacGregor, that roseate Scotchman. It is easier to understand why I never knew Anthy, for she was much away from Hempfield in the years just after I came here; and as for Norton Carr and Ed Smith, they did not come until some time afterward.