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A few stayed on into the next week but when, at the end of that week, a storm set in which was more severe than those preceding it, even these optimists surrendered. Before that third week was over the High Cliff House was practically deserted. Except for Heman Daniels and John Kendrick and Miss Timpson and Caleb Hammond, Thankful and Emily and Imogene were alone in the big house.
Heman descended in the elevator, walked steadily through the crowded lobby and out to the curb where his cab was waiting. The driver noticed nothing strange in his fare's appearance. He noticed nothing strange when the Atkins residence was reached and its tenant mounted the stone steps and opened the door with his latchkey.
Later he marshaled his trusted officers around the pool table in the back room of the barber shop and confided to them that it was anybody's fight and that he was worried. "It's past bein' a joke," he said. "It's mighty serious. We've got to hustle, we have. Heman trusted me in this job, and if I fall down it 'll be bad for me and for you fellers, too.
"What's he want, mother?" came Roxy's clear voice from within the room. "That's Heman Blaisdell's voice." "Roxy, you come down here!" called Heman, masterfully. There was a pause, during which Mrs. Cole was apparently pulled away from the window. Then Roxy, her head enveloped in a shawl, appeared in her mother's place. "Well!" she said, impatiently. "What is it?"
If this downpour keeps on I'll need one bad as Noah ever did." Heman Daniels, Miss Timpson and Caleb Hammond were now the only boarders and roomers Mrs. Barnes had left to provide for. There was little or no profit in providing for them, for the rates paid by the two last named were not high, and their demands were at times almost unreasonable.
"Well, I s'pose 'cause Heman Atkins thought he'd be a good feller to have there. But " "Yes, and 'Lonzo's pew in church is right under the Atkins memorial window. The light from it makes a kind of halo round his bald head every Sunday." "Well, what of it? Heman, nor nobody else, could buy 'Lonzo Snow." "Buy him? Indeed they couldn't.
Now with Tad and his 'Providence' puttin' in 'Lonzo Snow, and Heman Atkins settin' behind the screen workin' his Normal School music box so's they can hear the tune well, Phoebe MAY stay this term out, but how about next?" "Hey? Why, I don't know. Anyhow, you're down on Phoebe as a thousand of brick. I don't see why you worry about HER. After the way she treated poor Bos'n and all."
Heman's voice found a pleading level. "Roxy, will you marry me?" "Why, Heman, you 're perfectly ridiculous! At this time o' night, too!" "You answer me!" cried Heman, desperately. "I want you! Won't you have me, Roxy? Say?" "Roxy!" came her mother's muffled voice from the bed. "You'll git your death o' cold. What's he want? Can't you give him an answer an' let him go?"
Atkins's house?" "Yes; it is. What do you want?" "Hey? Is this where the Honorable Heman Atkins lives?" "Yes, yes, I tell you! This is Mr. Atkins speaking. What do you want?" "Oh! is that you, Heman? This is Whittaker Cy Whittaker. Understand?" Mr. Atkins understood. Yet for an instant he did not reply.
As soon as my respected fellow-townsmen, the majority of them, learn that I am to battle with Heman the Great, and in such a cause, I shall be shunned and, so to speak, spat upon. You're taking big chances by coming here." The captain grunted. "Umph!" he sniffed. "They don't know it yet; neither do I." "Ah yes, but they will shortly. Daniels will take care that they do."
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