"Not if I know what I am about. No, mother, the money is safe, where he won't find it. I won't tell you, for he might annoy you till you told him."
"No, Grit; don't tell me. I would rather not know. How happy we were before he came, and how rich we should feel if this money had come to you before Mr. Brandon came home!"
"That is true, mother. It's a shame that he should come home to give us so much trouble."
"I can't see how it's all going to end," murmured Mrs. Brandon sadly.
"Nor I; but I mean to resist Mr. Brandon till he finds it's of no use trying to appropriate my money. When he finds he can't get anything out of us except a bare living, he may become disgusted and leave us."
"He won't do it while he has any hope left. What do you think he has been trying to persuade me to do, Grit?"
"I don't know."
"He wants me to mortgage this cottage, and give him the money."
"Just like him, mother. I hope you were firm?"
"Yes, Grit. I told him I would not consent. It is all we have. I cannot part with our home and the roof that shelters us."