"
"Then I suppose we had better pay the mortgage, mother," said
Frank.
"Pay the mortgage! You can't do it," said the squire exultingly.
"Have you the document with you?" inquired Mrs. Frost.
"Yes, madam."
"Name the amount due on it."
"With interest eight hundred and twenty-four dollars."
"Frank, call in Mr. Morton as a witness."
Mr. Morton entered.
"Now, Frank, you may count out the money."
"What!" stammered the squire, in dismay, "can you pay it."
"We can."
"Why didn't you tell me so in the first place?" demanded Squire
Haynes, his wrath excited by his bitter disappointment.
"I wished to ascertain whether your course was dictated by
necessity or a desire to annoy and injure us. I can have no
further doubt about it."
There was no help for it. Squire Haynes was compelled to release
his hold upon the Frost Farm, and pocket his money. He had never
been so sorry to receive money before.
This business over, he was about to beat a hurried retreat, when
he was suddenly arrested by a question from Henry Morton.
Pages:
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329