In the course of his ride he met with ample evidence to
confirm the statement that local folk had neither forgotten
nor forgiven the bygone crime which had come to him as a
legacy from the absent Tom. Scowling looks, mutterings, and
nudgings greeted him whenever he chanced upon human beings;
``Bowker's pup,'' trotting placidly by his side, seemed the
one element of friendliness in a hostile world.
As he dismounted at the side door he caught a fleeting
glimpse of a gaunt, elderly woman peering at him from behind
the curtain of an upper window. Evidently this was his aunt
by adoption.
Over the ample midday meal that stood in readiness for him
Stoner was able to review the possibilities of his
extraordinary situation. The real Tom, after four years of
absence, might suddenly turn up at the farm, or a letter
might come from him at any moment. Again, in the character
of heir to the farm, the false Tom might be called on to
sign documents, which would be an embarrassing predicament.
Or a relative might arrive who would not imitate the aunt's
attitude of aloofness. All these things would mean
ignominious exposure.
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