"They must be made, for all that; particularly just now when a dissatisfied spirit is spreading among the farmers. Askew is showing them what can be done by the proper use of capital."
"Askew!" Osborn exclaimed. "Father and son, the Askews have been the origin of the worst trouble I've had."
Hayes was willing to indulge Osborn's rancor and derived a rather malicious satisfaction from seeing him annoyed. Besides, he did not want to dwell upon the mortgage.
"I wonder whether you know Askew has bought Drysdale's sheep?"
"I did not know. I sold the flock to Graham."
"Then Askew must have bought them soon afterwards, unless he sent Graham to make the deal with you."
Osborn's face got red. "A shabby trick! Unthinkably shabby, after he forced up the price." He paused, and tried to control his anger. "But why did he buy that second-class lot?"
"There was a Carlside ram."
"Only fit for mutton; I studied the animal."
"Oh, well! Askew, no doubt, thinks he is a judge. I imagine he bought the others in order to get the ram."