He was still smoking when Simon Dodge, fresh from his interview with Andy, entered the yard.
“Been out walking, father?” asked Brackett.
He was careful never to let the old man forget the relationship which existed between them, though, in truth, there was no relationship at all.
“Yes, Jeremiah, I must take a little exercise, so as not to get stiff in the joints.”
“I have plenty of exercise at home,” grumbled Brackett. “I have had to attend to all Peter’s chores, in addition to my own work.”
“Oh, well, you’ll get another boy soon,” said old Simon, cheerfully.
“I hope so, for I don’t want to get worn out. When a man has a wife and children to support, he’s got a tough job before him.”
“Not when he’s got a good farm like this,” said Mr. Dodge.
“There ain’t any money to be made by farming,” muttered Brackett.
“That wasn’t my experience,” said Mr. Dodge. “When I was twenty-five I inherited this farm from my father; but there was a debt of three thousand dollars on it, which I was to pay my brother for his share. I hadn’t a cent outside. Well, I worked hard, and I waited patiently, and in time I paid off the mortgage I put on it to pay my brother, and when I gave it up to you, it was in good condition and well stocked. You started a good deal better off than I did.”