"Oh," I said carelessly, "I am the purchaser of the island, you know.
I have come to take possession."
Nobody spoke. Perfect silence reigned for half a minute.
"I hope we shall get on well together," I said, with my pleasantest
smile.
Still no answer came. The people round still stared.
At last the stout man, altogether ignoring my friendly advances, said,
curtly:
"I keep the inn. Come. I will take you to it."
He turned and led the way up the street. We followed, the people
making a lane for us, and still regarding us with stony stares. Denny
gave expression to my feelings, as well as his own:
"It can hardly be described as an ovation," he observed.
"Surly brutes," muttered Hogvardt.
"It is not the way to receive his lordship," agreed Watkins, more in
sorrow than in anger. Watkins had very high ideas of the deference due
to "his lordship."
The fat innkeeper walked ahead. I quickened my pace and overtook him.
"The people do not seem very pleased to see me," I remarked.
He shook his head, but made no answer. Then he stopped before a
substantial house. We followed him in, and he led us up-stairs to a
large room. It overlooked the street, but, somewhat to my surprise,
the windows were heavily barred. The door also was massive, and had
large bolts inside and out.
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