Atkins, who prided himself on being a judge of human nature, decided that his helper was a young gentleman in trouble, but that the trouble, whatever it might be, involved nothing criminal or dishonest.

That he was a gentleman, he was sure--his bearing and manner proved that; but he was a gentleman who did not "put on airs." Not that there was any reason why he should put on airs, but, so far as that was concerned, there was no apparent reason for the monumental conceit and condescension of some of the inflated city boarders in the village.

Brown was not like those people at all.
Seth had taken a fancy to him at their first meeting.

Now his liking steadily increased.

Companionship in a lonely spot like Eastboro Twin-Lights is a test of a man's temper.