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He entered it consciously as an invader, determined to conquer. Pitiful as were the resources of Cortez as he adventured against the power of Montezuma, or of Pizarro as he clambered over the Peruvian Andes, they were gigantic compared with Scattergood's. He was starting to make his conquest backed by one twenty, three fives, four twos, and ninety cents in silver.
Ovid looked a bit doubtful, but Scattergood's voice was so interested, so bland, that any suspicion of irony was allayed. "How's your ma?" Scattergood asked. "Pert," answered Ovid. "Ma's spry. Barrin' a siege of neuralgy in the face off and on, ma hain't complainin' of nothin'." "Has she took to patronizin' a city tailor, too?" Scattergood asked. "Mostly," said Ovid, "ma makes her own."
Scattergood was to learn through the years that Mandy's was a good head for business, and, though business men who came to deal with Scattergood in the future sometimes laughed when they found Mandy present at their conferences, they never laughed but once.... And, though Scattergood's proffer of marriage had not been couched in fervent terms of love, nor had Mandy fallen on his overbroad bosom with rapture, theirs was a married life to be envied by most, for there was between them perfect trust, sincere affection, and wisest forbearance.
It was in keeping with his methods that he always seemed to be acting in response to a demand from the public rather than that he excited the public to demand what Scattergood wanted. But that was when Scattergood's hair was touched with gray and his girth had increased by twoscore pounds. "I can't find any trace of Scattergood Baines in this matter," Hammond reported to President Castle.
"When you goin' to fetch her in, Nahum?" Scattergood repeated. "She said she was coming Monday." "Um!... G'-by, Nahum." This was Scattergood's invariable phrase of dismissal, given to friend or enemy alike. It was characteristic of him that when he was through with a conversation he ended it and left no doubt in anybody's mind that it was ended. Nahum withdrew apologetically.
Twenty-four hours later both Crane and Keith were in Coldriver, storming up to Lawyer Norton's office. Scattergood was in Boston and not visible. "What does this mean?" blustered Crane, displaying to Norton the notice mailed at Scattergood's direction. "What it says." "You can't stop us hauling to the river." Norton shrugged his shoulders. "You can use the state road." "Fifteen miles!
Castle coughed, and Scattergood opened his eyes sleepily and peered over the rolls of fat that were his cheeks. "Howdy?" said Scattergood, not moving. "Good day, Mr. Baines. You got my message?" "Seein' as you got my reply to it, I must have," said Scattergood. "Can we talk here?" "I kin." Mr. Castle looked about. No one was within earshot. He occupied a chair at Scattergood's side.
A few formal words, backed by the authority of the state, compelling the G. & B. to do all, and more than all, that Scattergood had requested of them! A few words making possible Scattergood's railroad more surely than agreement with President Castle could have made it! "While you folks was busy with the Transient Car bill," Scattergood said, amiably, "the boys sort of tended to this for me.
Third, because, in Scattergood's safe were ironclad contracts with both of them whereby the said dam and boom company should receive sixty cents a thousand feet for driving their logs down the improved river. And fourth the fourth brought Scattergood's active toes to a rest.
He paused, turned slowly, and surveyed the congregation, and frowned at the door of the church. He coughed. He waited. The congregation turned, following his eyes, and saw Mandy, Scattergood's ample-bosomed wife, enter, bearing in her arms the form of a child. She walked to Scattergood's pew and handed the boy to him. Scattergood held the child high, so all could see.
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