“What do you mean?”
“I mean that Denham was––er––foreclosin’, that’s the word, when this man interfered.”
“What man? Not Mr. Jefferson?”
“No. He would, though, if he’d been round home an’ known about it; but he’s away most the time. No, I don’t know who the man was. Yer mother may know fer he left the deed with her. Ye see, ’twas this way. I met him ridin’ like the wind. His nag was all of a lather. He pulled up an’ says, ‘Can you tell me where the Allison home is?’ I says, ‘I reckon I can, it’s right over thar.’ He kept on an’ met ol’ Denham leadin’ Nat out’n the stable. I dunno what was said, but I saw ’em an’ moused right along down whar they was talkin’. Yer mother had gone to the village. Well, when I got within earshot, I heard the man say, ‘I’ve got the money right here.’ Denham didn’t act as though he had any use for money, which looked mighty funny. But the man, he was a masterful one, I tell ye,––”
“I’ll bet Mr. Jefferson sent him. What’d he look like?”
“Oh, I dunno. He was one o’ the quality, I c’d see 144 that with half an eye. Anyhow he jes’ tol’ Denham to take that money an’ Denham ’lowed he wouldn’t. Then the man, he says, ‘You’ll take that money an’ give me a deed o’ that Allison place, free an’ clear, or I’ll fight ye through the courts an’ I’ll win.’ Denham, he hemmed an’ hawed, but the man wouldn’t stand fer no foolin’ an’ Denham, he wilted. They went down to the Squire’s to fix the matter up.”
“I wish I knew who he was or how I’m going to pay him.”
“Don’t reckon ye got to pay him. Yer mother’s got the deed fer I see him give it to her.”
“It’s a debt of honour, Angus. You must help me to think up some way to make a living, and something besides, off the old place.”
“We’ll figger it out certain sure, Rodney. You’ve got a home as no one can take away from ye if ye don’t mortgage it.”