Fictitious standards of values were ignored.

Every man was given his fair opportunity to show his stuff and according to his showing was his place in the community.

A generous good fellowship and friendly good-will toward the new-comer pervaded the company, but with all this a kind of reserve marked the intercourse of these men with each other.

Men were taken on trial at face value and no questions asked.
This evening, however, the dominant note was one of generous and enthusiastic sympathy with the young rancher and his wife, who had come so lately among them and who had been made the unfortunate victim of a sinister and threatening foe, hitherto, it is true, regarded with indifference or with friendly pity but lately assuming an ominous importance.

There was underneath the gay hilarity of the gathering an undertone of apprehension until the Inspector made his speech.