"Why, then, do you make the offer?"
"I have already told you that I wished to save your mother trouble."
"We are much obliged to you, but we decline your proposal."
"Then," said Wolverton, spitefully, "I shall have to hold you to the terms of the mortgage. I had intended to favor you, but after the tone you have taken with me, I shall not do so."
"To what terms do you refer, Mr. Wolverton?" asked the widow.
"I will tell you. I have the right at the end of six months to call for a payment of half the mortgage—fifteen hundred dollars. That will make, in addition to the interest then due, sixteen hundred and fifty dollars."
"Can this be true?" asked Mrs. Burton, in dismay, turning to Robert.
"It is so specified in the mortgage," answered Wolverton, triumphantly. "You can examine it for yourself. I have only to say, that, had you accepted my offer, I would have been content with, say, one quarter of the sum, knowing that it would be inconvenient for you to pay half."
Bob, as well as his mother, was taken by surprise, but in no way disposed to yield.
"We should be no better off," he said. "We should lose at least five hundred dollars by accepting your offer, and that we cannot afford to do."