“How much do they offer you for the farm, Mrs. Hammond–if that’s not a rude question?” demanded Harris.
“Never you mind!” blustered Spink.
But Aunt Jane stated the amount frankly.
“It’s worth more,” said Harris, sharply.
“I expect it is; but it ain’t worth no more to me,” replied the old lady, calmly.
“I’ll raise their offer a hundred dollars,” said Harris, quickly. “My name’s Colesworth. My father and I are well known here and in Easthampton. We are amply able to pay you cash for the place.”
“Well, now,” observed Aunt Jane, with satisfaction, while the girls stared at the young fellow in wonder, “you are talking business. A hundred dollars more is not to be sneezed at—”
“We’ll raise the young man’s bid another hundred, Mrs. Hammond,” interposed the lawyer, eagerly. “But you must sign the agreement—”
“Raise you another hundred,” said Harris.
The lawyer looked at his client for instructions. Professor Spink’s face was of an apoplectic hue and his eyes fairly snapped.