It could surely not be without purpose.

The Wilbur twin's alarm was that the Whipple family had regretted its prodigality of the day before and was about to demand its money back.

He lurked in the shadowy doorway.
The Whipples were surrounding Merle with every sign of interest.

They shook hands with him.

They seemed to appraise him as if he were something choice on exhibition at a fair.