I know as my land is the best land up here.

I holds the key to the situation.
That's what we used to call it durin' the war.
"Well, there ain't but three ways to git to them coal-lands back up yonder in the Gap: one's by way of heaven, and I 'lows there ain't many land-speculators goin' by that way; the other is through hell, a way they'll know more about hereafter; and the third's through my land." Keith laughed and waited.
"He seems to be hangin' around Phrony pretty considerable ?" Keith caught the gleam in the old fellow's deep eye, and looked away.
"I can't make it out.

Phrony she likes him." Keith fastened his gaze on something out of the window.
"I don't know him," pursued the squire; "But I don't think--he'd suit Phrony.

His ways ain't like ours, and--." He lapsed into reflection, and Keith, with his eyes still fastened on something outside the window, sighed to think of the old man's innocence.

That he should imagine that Wickersham had any serious idea of marrying the granddaughter of a backwoods magistrate! The old squire broke the silence.
"You don't suppose he could be hankerin' after Phrony for her property, do you ?" "No, I do not," said Keith, positively, relieved that at last a question was put which he could answer directly.
"Because she ain't got any," asserted the squire.