His own estate was fine enough to be talked about from one end of the Cape to the other and he had bought the empty lot opposite and made it into a miniature park, with flower beds and gravel walks, though no one but he or his might pick the flowers or tread the walks.

He had brought on a wealthy friend from New York and a cousin from Chicago, and they, too, had bought acres on the Boulevard and erected palatial "cottages" where once were the houses of country people.

Local cynics suggested that the sign on the East Harniss railroad station should be changed to read "Williamsburg." "He owns the place, body and soul," said they.
As Sim Phinney climbed the hill the magnate, pompous, portly, and imposing, held up a signaling finger.

"Just as if he was hailin' a horse car," described Simeon afterward.
"Phinney," he said, "come here, I want to speak to you." The man of many trades obediently approached.
"Good evenin', Mr.Williams," he ventured.
"Phinney," went on the great man briskly, "I want you to give me your figures on a house moving deal.

I have bought a house on the Shore Road, the one that used to belong to the--er--Smalleys, I believe." Simeon was surprised.