“He’s a rich man now,” said Lyddy. “He owns a breakfast food.”
“Diamond Grits,” added ’Phemie.
“He’s rich enough,” grunted Trent. “Rich enough so’t he can loaf around Bridleburg for months at a time. Been here now for some time.”
“Why, could that be the Spink your Aunt Jane told me once made her an offer for the farm?” asked Mr. Bray, thoughtfully.
“For Hillcrest?” cried ’Phemie. “Oh, I hope not.”
“Well, child, if she could sell the place it would be a good thing for Jane. She has none too much money.”
“But why didn’t she sell to him?” asked Lyddy, quite as anxious as her sister.
“He didn’t offer her much, if anything, for it.”
“Ain’t that like Jud?” cackled Trent. “He is allus grouching about the old doctor for being as tight as the bark to a tree; but when it comes to a bargain, Jud Spink will wring yer nose ev’ry time–if he can. Glad Mis’ Hammon’ didn’t sell to him.”
“Perhaps he didn’t want Hillcrest very much,” said Mr. Bray, quietly.