The Deacon was mightily displeased. For nearly a month, he'd concerted every effort into trying to convince the people of Reed City that they needed him - and the people of Reed City had gone out of their way to make it plain that they wanted no part of the Deacon. Right now it's afternoon, and the Deacon was seated on the veranda of the Reed City hotel, whittling. Now and then, one of the townspeople walked by, but there was no friendliness in their greeting of the big man.