He desired to make some
striking display of Miss Malroy's courtesy. He knew that his
credit was experiencing the pangs of an early mortality; he was
not sensitive, yet for some days he had been sensible of the fact
that what he called the commercial class was viewing him with
open disfavor, but he must hang on in Raleigh a little longer
--for him it had become the abode of hope. The judge considered
the matter. At least he could let people see something of that
decent respect with which Miss Malroy treated him.
They were entering Raleigh now, and he ordered the coachman to
pull his horses down to a walk. He had decided to make use of
the Belle Plain turnout in creating an atmosphere of confidence
and trust--especially trust. To this end he spent the best part
of an hour interviewing his creditors. It amounted almost to a
mass-meeting of the adult male population, for he had no
favorites. When he invaded virgin territory he believed in
starting the largest possible number of accounts without delay.
The advantage of his system, as he explained its workings to
Mahaffy, was that it bred a noble spirit of emulation.
He let it be known in a general way that things were looking up
with him; just in what quarter he did not specify, but there he
was, seated in the Belle Plain carriage and the inference was
unavoidable that Miss Malroy was to recognize his activities in a
substantial manner.
Mahaffy, loafing away the afternoon in the county clerk's office,
heard of the judge's return.
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