They wouldn't "cotton" to him even if he was from the city, and so Lester made friends with those whom he regarded as his inferiors in every way.
Lester was not at all pleased with the task he had set himself on this particular day.

He never felt easy in Don's presence and Bert's, and nothing but the hope of compelling David to give up his contract and thus leave the way clear for Bob and himself, would have induced him to call upon them.

He rode slowly in order to postpone the interview as long as he could, but the General's barn was reached at last, and the hostler, who came forward to take his nag, told him that Don and Bert had just gone into the house.

The latter opened the door in response to his knock, and Lester knew by the way he looked at him that he was very much surprised to see him.

But he welcomed him very cordially, and conducted him into the library, where Don was lying upon the sofa.
"That night in the potato cellar was a serious matter for you, wasn't it ?" said the visitor, after the greeting was over and he had seated himself in the chair which Bert placed in front of the fire.