"Very well," said the squire, seating himself in a luxurious
armchair, "I am ready to attend to you."
"I believe you hold a mortgage on our farm."
Squire Haynes started. The thought of Frank's real business had
not occurred to him. He had hoped that nothing would have been
said in relation to the mortgage until he was at liberty to
foreclose, as he wished to take the Frosts unprepared. He now
resolved, if possible, to keep Frank in ignorance of his real
purpose, that he might not think it necessary to prepare for his
attack.
"Yes," said he indifferently; "I hold quite a number of
mortgages, and one upon your father's farm among them."
"Isn't the time nearly run out?" asked Frank anxiously.
"I can look if you desire it," said the squire, in the same
indifferent tone.
"I should be glad if you would."
"May I ask why you are desirous of ascertaining the precise
date?" asked the squire. "Are you intending to pay off the
mortgage?"
"No, sir," said Frank. "We are not prepared to do so at present.
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