"No, sir; we will promise not to expose you, but it will be only upon condition that you pay principal and interest. The only favor we will extend is, that we will not demand compound interest."
"But it will ruin me! I cannot take so large a sum from my business."
"That I can understand. On behalf of my young ward and his mother, I will agree to accept half cash, and half in notes maturing at different dates, secured by your stock in trade. Do you consent, or shall we bring suit?"
"Can't you throw off the interest? That boy and his mother will be amply provided for by the principal."
"If you had received your nephew differently when he applied for help just now, we might have consented. Now it is out of the question."
Nicholas Walton was forced to make an unconditional surrender, and the terms were agreed to upon the spot.
"Ben," said Mr. Novarro, as they left the office, "I congratulate you. You are now rich."
"Thanks to you kind management, Mr. Novarro."
It is said that listeners never hear any good of themselves. Clarence was in a terrible panic when he heard the conference between his father and the Cuban. That his despised cousin Ben should become suddenly rich was a bitter pill to swallow. He sneaked out of the store, perturbed in mind.