Mr.Hammond, however, was somewhat puzzled.
"Now what do you cal'late he meant by that ?" he queried.
John Kendrick answered.

He and Emily had exchanged smiles.

Neither of them seemed as deeply impressed with the Daniels proclamation as the others of the group.
"Perhaps he wanted to buy a drink," suggested John, gravely.
Miss Timpson was shocked; her expression showed it.

Caleb Hammond did not seem to know whether to be shocked or not; the Hammond appreciation of a joke generally arrived on a later train.

Mrs.Barnes and Captain Obed laughed, but not too heartily.
Mr.Daniels did not laugh.