thereof. Although Perez had arrived in town only at dusk on the
preceding Saturday, and excepting his Sunday evening stroll with
Abner, had kept within doors, the tongue of rumor had not only
notified pretty much the entire community of his arrival, but had
adorned that bare fact with a profuse embroidery of conjecture, as to
his recent experiences, present estate, and intentions for the future.

An absence of nine years had, however, made him personally a stranger
to most of the people. The young men had been mere lads when he went
away, while of the elders, many were dead, or removed. As he
approached the group around Ezra, he recognized but few of the faces,
all of which were turned upon him with a common expression of curious
scrutiny. There was Meshech Little. Him he shook hands with, and also
with Peleg, and Israel Goodrich. Ezra had come to the village since
his day.

"Surely this is Abe Konkapot," he said, extending his hand to a fine
looking Indian. "Why Abe, I heard the Stockbridges had moved out to
York State."

"You hear true," responded the smiling Indian. "Heap go. Some stay. No
want to go."

"Widder Nimham's gal Lu, could tell ye 'bout why Abe don' want ter go,
I guess," observed Obadiah Weeks, who directed the remark, however,
not so much to Perez as to some of the half-grown young men, from whom
it elicited a responsive snicker at Abe's expense.

Indeed, after the exchange of the first greetings, it became apparent
that Perez' presence was a damper on the conversation. The simple fact