Either he forgot already (and often afterwards), that they were no longer master and servant, or considered this kind of duty to be among the legitimate functions of the Co. But Mark obeyed with his usual alacrity; and before they parted for the night, it was agreed between them that they should go together to the agent’s in the morning, but that Martin should decide the Eden question, on his own sound judgment. And Mark made no merit, even to himself in his jollity, of this concession; perfectly well knowing that the matter would come to that in the end, anyway.
The General was one of the party at the public table next day, and after breakfast suggested that they should wait upon the agent without loss of time. They, desiring nothing more, agreed; so off they all four started for the office of the Eden Settlement, which was almost within rifle-shot of the National Hotel.
It was a small place—something like a turnpike. But a great deal of land may be got into a dice-box, and why may not a whole territory be bargained for in a shed? It was but a temporary office too; for the Edeners were “going” to build a superb establishment for the transaction of their business, and had already got so far as to mark out the site. Which is a great way in America. The office-door was wide open, and in the doorway was the agent; no doubt a tremendous fellow to get through his work, for he seemed to have no arrears, but was swinging backwards and forwards in a rocking-chair, with one of his legs planted high up against the doorpost, and the other doubled up under him, as if he were hatching his foot.
He was a gaunt man in a huge straw hat, and a coat of green stuff. The weather being hot, he had no cravat, and wore his shirt collar wide open; so that every time he spoke something was seen to twitch and jerk up in his throat, like the little hammers in a harpsichord when the notes are struck. Perhaps it was the Truth feebly endeavouring to leap to his lips. If so, it never reached them.
Two grey eyes lurked deep within this agent’s head, but one of them had no sight in it, and stood stock still. With that side of his face he seemed to listen to what the other side was doing. Thus each profile had a distinct expression; and when the movable side was most in action, the rigid one was in its coldest state of watchfulness. It was like turning the man inside out, to pass to that view of his features in his liveliest mood, and see how calculating and intent they were.
Each long black hair upon his head hung down as straight as any plummet line; but rumpled tufts were on the arches of his eyes, as if the crow whose foot was deeply printed in the corners had pecked and torn them in a savage recognition of his kindred nature as a bird of prey.
Such was the man whom they now approached, and whom the General saluted by the name of Scadder.
“Well, Gen’ral,” he returned, “and how are you?”
“Ac‑tive and spry, sir, in my country’s service and the sympathetic cause. Two gentlemen on business, Mr. Scadder.”
He shook hands with each of them (nothing is done in America without shaking hands) then went on rocking.
“I think I know what bis’ness you have brought these strangers here upon, then, Gen’ral?”
“Well, sir. I expect you may.”
“You air a tongue‑y person, Gen’ral. For you talk too much, and that’s fact,” said Scadder. “You speak a‑larming well in public, but you didn’t ought to go ahead so fast in private. Now!”
“If I can realise your meaning, ride me on a rail!” returned the General, after pausing for consideration.
“You know we didn’t wish to sell the lots off right away to any loafer as might bid,” said Scadder; “but had con‑cluded to reserve ’em for Aristocrats of Natur’. Yes!”
“And they are here, sir!” cried the General with warmth. “They are here, sir!”
“If they air here,” returned the agent, in reproachful accents, “that’s enough. But you didn’t ought to have your dander ris with me, Gen’ral.”
The General whispered Martin that Scadder was the honestest fellow in the world, and that he wouldn’t have given him offence designedly, for ten thousand dollars.
“I do my duty; and I raise the dander of my feller critters, as I wish to serve,” said Scadder in a low voice, looking down the road and rocking still. “They rile up rough, along of my objecting to their selling Eden off too cheap. That’s human natur’! Well!”
“Mr. Scadder,” said the General, assuming his oratorical deportment. “Sir! Here is my hand, and here my heart. I esteem you, sir, and ask your pardon. These gentlemen air friends of mine, or I would not have brought ’em here, sir, being well aware, sir, that the lots at present go entirely too cheap. But these air friends, sir; these air partick’ler friends.”
Mr. Scadder was so satisfied by this explanation, that he shook the General warmly by the hand, and got out of the rocking-chair to do it. He then invited the General’s particular friends to accompany him into the office. As to the General, he observed, with his usual benevolence, that being one of the company, he wouldn’t interfere in the transaction on any account; so he appropriated the rocking-chair to himself, and looked at the prospect, like a good Samaritan waiting for a traveller.
“Heyday!” cried Martin, as his eye rested on a great plan which occupied one whole side of the office. Indeed, the office had little else in it, but some geological and botanical specimens, one or two rusty ledgers, a homely desk, and a stool. “Heyday! what’s that?”
“That’s Eden,” said Scadder, picking his teeth with a sort of young bayonet that flew out of his knife when he
