“You tell Peter Savage he’d better be careful how he circulates counterfeit money,” went on Mr. Lee, as he gave Dan back the quarter, and passed over the jug of molasses. “An’ be sure an’ bring me a good quarter as soon as ye kin.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Dan. “I wonder where that bad money came from?” he thought as he started for home.
Though he had done the errand in much less time than usual, because of the ride Mr. Harrison had given him, Dan was scolded by Mrs. Savage when he got in.
“I never see such a lazy boy!” she exclaimed. “Did ye stop t’ make th’ molasses?”
“I came pretty near not getting it,” said Dan, and he told her of the incident of the bad quarter. As he had anticipated, that caused Mrs. Savage more astonishment than did the reported refusal of Mr. Lee to extend any more credit, for though Mr. Savage was wealthy he delayed as long as he could the paying of debts.
“That quarter bad!” she exclaimed, as Dan handed it to her. “I don’t believe it!”
But when she tested it carefully she had to admit that it was.
“Wa’al, of all things!” she cried. “That’s a swindle, and I’ll have th’ law on that man!”
“Who gave it to Mr. Savage?” asked Dan.
“Who? Why that pesky book agent that was askin’ ye so many questions. Pa—which was what she called her husband—give it to me fer grocery money. Now it’s bad! Wa’ll ye’ll have t’ make it up, that’s all. It was your fault that we got it.”