When the three reached the house, they found Mr. Kimball reading a letter. Roger introduced Mr. Vanter, and the farmer at once recalled the man who, as a youngster, used to play about the village streets.
"I ain't forgot ye," he said, clapping Mr. Vanter heartily on the back. "I remember onct when I ketched ye in my melon patch," and he laughed at the recollection, Mr. Vanter joining in.
"I have even better cause than you have not to forget that little incident," responded the surveyor, as he rubbed the back of his legs reflectively.
"I reckon I switched ye good 'n' proper," commented Mr. Kimball, a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
"I hear you have been selling a salt mine just as if it was ordinary pasture land," said Mr. Vanter, to change the subject.
"Why, how'd ye know thet?" asked Mr. Kimball, in a wondering tone. "I calalated nobody—Oh! You're th' feller Roger went to see in Syracuse," he cried suddenly. "I understand now. Wa'al, it ain't th' boy's fault. He made a noble try. I took up Ranquist's offer too quick, thet's th' hull trouble. But I needed th' money bad. In fact, here's a letter now, tellin' me thet onless I raise th' cash by th' end a' th' week, th' mortgage'll be foreclosed, 'n' I'll lose th' farm. By sellin' th' spring-glade when I did, I've got nuff t' make th' payment. Ha'f a loaf's better'n' no bread, ye know. But I s'pose I ought t' hev waited."
"When do you sign the deed?" asked Mr. Vanter. "I understand you have given a binding agreement to sell, so it's no use trying to get out of that."
"Why, me 'n' Mrs. Kimball are t' put our signatures on th' deed t'-morrow," replied the farmer, "'n' I git th' balance a' th' two thousand dollars then. Handy 'nuff it'll be, too, but I wish now it were more. I'll be pretty heavily in debt, even arter I pay off th' mortgage. Yes, sir, me 'n' mother here signs t'-morrow," and he motioned to his wife who had come to the door.
At the mention of Mrs. Kimball's name in connection with signing the deed, Mr. Vanter gave a start of surprise. He seemed to have an idea that proved a pleasant thought, for he rubbed his hands together, and began pacing up and down the room, as he had done when Roger saw him the first time, in the Syracuse office.
"Tell me," said Mr. Vanter, coming toward Mr. Kimball, and speaking very earnestly, "did Mrs. Kimball sign the agreement?"