“Won’t you walk in, gentlemen?” said Mrs. Gordon, gravely.
“Thank you!” said the lawyer.
And he bowed ceremoniously.
“I reckon we will,” said Joshua Starr, who forgot to remove his battered old hat as he entered.
“Why, Andy, howdy do?” said the old man, as he espied our young hero seated at the window. “I see you’ve took to scarin’ burglars. Ho, ho! I reckon I’d have to send for you if I had anything in my house wuth stealin’. Ho, ho!”
“Yes, Mr. Starr, I’m ready to defend myself against all sorts of burglars,” said Andy, pointedly.
Mr. Starr did not understand Andy’s meaning, but Mr. Ross darted a sharp glance at the boy, whom he understood better. He said nothing, however.
“Sho! I guess they ain’t likely to get into your house, widder,” said Mr. Starr, turning to Mrs. Gordon.
The old man’s eyes had already begun to wander about the room, in search of desirable furniture to seize in payment of the note. There was a comfortable rocking-chair, in which the lawyer had seated himself, which he mentally decided to claim. It occurred to him that it would be just the thing for him to sit in after the farm work of the day was over.