In the joy of seeing Dean again his uncle and aunt lost sight for a time of their troubles, but after a while Adin Dunham said gravely, "It's well you came home as you did, Dean, for the old home is about to pass from me."
"How is that, Uncle Adin?"
"Squire Bates is going to foreclose the mortgage. He offers to buy the place and give me eight hundred dollars over and above what I owe him."
"Of course you declined?"
"It will do no good. I must yield to necessity."
"Squire Bates shall never have the place," said Dean, resolutely.
"Who will prevent it?"
"I will."
"But, Dean, what power have you? The squire is firmly resolved."
"So am I."