Now he had come in and ensconced himself in the corner behind the stove , where he preserved a complete silence . He had a rather rough face and was flashily dressed . Altogether , Gabe hardly liked his looks , put as long as a man paid his bill and did not stir up a row Gabe Foley did not interfere with him . Three or four farmers from `` out Greenvale way '' were drawn up by the stove , discussing the cheese factory sales and various Greenvale happenings . The stranger appeared to be listening to them intently , although he took no part in their conversation . Presently he brought his tilted chair down with a sharp thud . Gabe Foley had paused in his manipulation of a king to hurl a question at the Greenvale men . `` Is it true that old man Strong is to be turned out next week ? '' `` True enough , '' answered William Jeffers . `` Joe Moore is going to foreclose . Stephen Strong has got three years behind with the interest and Moore is out of patience . It seems hard on old Stephen , but Moore ai n't the man to hesitate for that . He 'll have his own out of it . '' `` What will the Strongs do ? '' asked Gabe . `` That 's the question everyone in Greenvale is asking . Lizzie Strong has always been a delicate little girl , but maybe she 'll manage to scare up a living . Old Stephen is to be the most pitied . I do n't see anything for him but the poorhouse . '' `` How did Stephen Strong come to get into such a tight place ? ''
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