He had a definite proposition to make, although his Yankee shrewdness and caution prevented his making it until he had discussed the weather and other unimportant trifles.

Then he leaned against the edge of my work-bench--we were in the boathouse--and began to beat up to windward of his proposal.
"Ros," he said, "you remember I told you you was all right, when I met you at the bank t'other day." "I remember," I answered.
"Yes.

Well, I cal'late you know what I meant by that." I did not pretend ignorance of his meaning.
"I presume," I replied, "that you meant I was right in not selling that strip of land to Mr.Colton." "That's what I meant.

You kept your promise to me and I shan't forget it.

Nor the town won't forget it, neither.