“I’ll wager, now, that this is the work of some fierce creditor.”
“You are right,” answered the father, “but I am sure of discharging the debt in five or six days, and that’s why I put off my departure.”
“Then you were arrested after you had sent on your trunks.”
“Just after.”
“And what have you done?”
“I have sent for bail.”
“Why did you not send to me?”
“Thank you, I am grateful for your kindness, but you are a foreigner, and sureties have to be householders.”
“But you ought to have told me what had happened, for I have got you an excellent supper, and I am dying of hunger.”
It was possible that this debt might exceed my means, so I did not dare to offer to pay it. I took Sara aside, and on hearing that all his trouble was on account of a debt of a hundred and fifty pounds, I asked the bailiff whether we could go away if the debt was paid.