There was but one of the company who looked as if he knew exactly why he was there, and he kept conspicuously apart.
-- Narration (N/A paragraph 1)

Importance: This line is the story's first allusion to the character of Jim Laird, and although the narration gives very few details about Jim in this moment, the detail it does give is a strong piece of characterization and foreshadowing. Jim is depicted as standing apart from the other townsmen, which foreshadows Jim's condemnation of the townsmen's greed and cruelty.

The young Bostonian, one of the dead sculptor’s pupils who had come with the body, looked about him helplessly.
-- Narration (N/A paragraph 1)

Importance: This line is one of the story's first description of the character Henry Steavens. His identity as a student of Harvey is important in that it emphasizes his loyalty to Harvey and his love of art. His identity as a Bostonian emphasizes his association with the urban environments...