Part 28 (1/2)
”Because I bought out that feller, Marcus Senft,” Sam replied, ”and I got on my books yet debts which your mother sold to Senft for twenty-five cents on the dollar--and he sold to me for ten cents.”
”I'll bet I know who owes 'em, too,” Max commented.
”You could look 'em over if you want to,” Sam said as they started to walk down the hilly lane from the depot to the main street.
”I will after I've washed up at the hotel,” Max answered.
”Hotel?” Sam exclaimed. ”What d'ye mean, hotel? You ain't going to no hotel. You're coming home with me. A feller _von unsere Leute_ should come to Cyprus for a vacation and stay at a hotel! An idee!”
He linked his arm in Max's and together they walked to Sam's store.
”We'll take a look in here first before we go up to the house,” Sam said as he opened the door. The next moment Sam Green was clasped to the ample bosom of Leah Green, who glanced inquiringly at Max Kirschner.
”Mommer,” Sam announced, ”this is Mr. Max Kirschner, which he ought to be like an old friend on account he was born and raised in this here town and his father run this very store.”
Max looked around him at the shelves and showcases.
”The same fixtures,” he muttered absently.
”He is only in town for a couple of days, mommer,” Sam said hesitatingly, ”so I thought we could easy fix up the spare room--ain't it?”
”Why, sure!” Mrs. Green replied as she shook Max's hand warmly. ”Is the folks all well, Mr. Kirschner?”
Max smiled sadly.
”You can judge for yourself, Mrs. Green,” he said, ”because I'm all the folks there are.”
”Oh, sure,” Mrs. Green hastened to say. ”I remember now; you never got married.”
”Why, how do you know that?” Sam asked.
Mrs. Green nodded her head sideways in Sam's direction.
”He don't never hear nothing, Mr. Kirschner,” she said. ”With me the women folks _schmooses_ all the time; and you could take it from me, Mr.
Kirschner, they talk a whole lot more about what happens forty years ago as what happens last week already.”
Max nodded as the store door opened and a woman of uncertain age entered.
”Good morning, Mis' Green,” the newcomer said, her eyes glued on Max Kirschner. ”I was just pa.s.sin' by on my way to the depot and I remembered that I needed a spool of thread.”
Mrs. Green pa.s.sed behind the counter to reach the thread case.
”Going to Sarahcuse to-day, Mis' Duree?” she asked casually.
Mrs. Duryea blushed.
”I'm on my way to see my sister's little granddaughter,” she explained; ”she's just recovering from whooping cough.”
”Would that be your sister Libby?” Max inquired.