He had hardly expected anything different.
After a period of thought he asked; "What is this I hear about John Merrick having returned from the West ?" "He came yesterday.

It was a great surprise to me." "I never knew this brother, I believe." "No; he had gone away before I became acquainted with either you or Tom." "What sort of a man is he ?" "Honest and simple, hard-headed and experienced." "Is he independent ?" "I believe so; he has never mentioned his affairs to me.

But he has worked hard all his life, he says, and now means to end his days peacefully.

John is not especially refined in his manner, nor did he have much of an education; but he seems to be a good deal of a man, for all that.

I am very glad he appeared at Elmhurst just at this time." "You had believed him dead ?" "Yes.