The flustered widow replied that it "was so." This was the beginning of a conversation that lasted until the "Central House" was reached, a conversation that left Polena impressed with the idea that her new acquaintance was as near the pink of perfection as mortal could be.
"It wa'n't his clothes, nuther," she told her brother, Obed Gott, as they sat at the dinner table.

"I don't know what 'twas, but you could jest see that he was a gentleman all over.

I wouldn't wonder if he was one of them New York millionaires, like Mr.Williams--but SO different.
'Redny' Blount says he see his name onto the hotel register and 'twas 'Cuthbertson Scott Hardee.' Ain't that a tony name for you?
And his darky man called him 'Major.' I never see sech manners on a livin' soul! Obed, I DO wish you'd stop eatin' pie with a knife." Under these pleasing circumstances did Major Cuthbertson Scott Hardee make his first appearance in East Harniss, and the reputation spread abroad by Mr.Blount and Mrs.Ginn was confirmed as other prominent citizens met him, and fell under the spell.

In two short weeks he was the most popular and respected man in the village.

The Methodist minister said, at the Thursday evening sociable, that "Major Hardee is a true type of the old-school gentleman," whereupon Beriah Higgins, who was running for selectman, and therefore felt obliged to be interested in all educational matters, asked whereabouts that school was located, and who was teaching it now.
It was a treat to see the Major stroll down Main Street to the post office every pleasant spring morning.