He had inquired casually who it was
who lived next door, and when the waiter told him the name, and that
Mr Hopgood was formerly the bank manager, Frank remembered that he
had often heard his father speak of a Mr Hopgood, a clerk in a bank
in London, as one of his best friends. He did not fail to ask his
father about this friend, and to obtain an introduction to the widow.
He had now brought it to Fenmarket, and within half an hour after he
had alighted, he had presented it.
Mrs Hopgood, of course, recollected Mr Palmer perfectly, and the
welcome to Frank was naturally very warm. It was delightful to
connect earlier and happier days with the present, and she was proud
in the possession of a relationship which had lasted so long. Clara
and Madge, too, were both excited and pleased. To say nothing of
Frank's appearance, of his unsnobbish, deferential behaviour which
showed that he understood who they were and that the little house
made no difference to him, the girls and the mother could not resist
a side glance at Fenmarket and the indulgence of a secret
satisfaction that it would soon hear that the son of Mr Palmer, so
well known in every town round about, was on intimate terms with
them.
Madge was particularly gay that evening. The presence of sympathetic
people was always a powerful stimulus to her, and she was often
astonished at the witty things and even the wise things she said in
such company, although, when she was alone, so few things wise or
witty occurred to her.
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