He told his son how he
had opposed his father's wish that he would become a lawyer and
sustain the reputation of the old firm of Sawyer, Crowninshield, and
Lawrence; about his health breaking down and his visit to Mason's
Corner; about the blind girl whom he had made his wife, and how he
had secured medical assistance and her sight had been restored. Once
again he lived over his life in the country town, and told about his
friends and foes--Obadiah Strout and Bob Wood--who were enemies no
longer, and honest, good-hearted 'Zeke Pettingill, and his sweet
wife, little Huldah Mason. And Hiram who stammered so and Mandy who
didn't. Nearly all the people mentioned in their long talks were well
known to young Quincy and after his father had finished his
reminiscences the young man supplied the sequel.
"What do you think of Mr. Strout?" asked the father.
"Think? I know he's a dishonest man. You say that you parted friends.
He is no friend of yours or mine."
Then he told of his encounter with young Bob Wood.
"I had some trouble with his father many years ago," said Quincy.
"What did he do to you?"
"Nothing to me. He insulted a young lady, and I took her part. Tom
was going to help me but I arranged to handle him, in a very
unscientific way though."
"It was a rough and tumble of the worst sort," interjected Tom. "I
was afraid they'd bite each other before they got through.
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