“Then I'll tell you what I will do. I'll first go over to the deacon's and try to collect something. Afterward I will call on Mr. Tudor.”
“It is your father's place to do it, but he has no business faculty, and could not accomplish anything. Go, then, Grant, but remember one thing.”
“What is that, mother?”
“You have a quick temper, my son. Don't allow yourself to speak hastily, or disrespectfully, even if you are disappointed. Mr. Tudor's bill is a just one, and he ought to have his money.”
“I'll do the best I can, mother.”
CHAPTER II — GRANT MAKES TWO BUSINESS CALLS
Deacon Gridley had a small farm, and farming was his chief occupation, but he had a few thousand dollars laid away in stocks and bonds, and, being a thrifty man, not to say mean, he managed to save up nearly all the interest, which he added to his original accumulation. He always coveted financial trusts, and so it came about that he was parish treasurer. It was often convenient for him to keep in his hands, for a month at a time, money thus collected which ought to have been paid over at once to the minister, but the deacon was a thoroughly selfish man, and cared little how pressed for money Mr. Thornton might be, as long as he himself derived some benefit from holding on to the parish funds.
The deacon was mowing the front yard of his house when Grant came up to his front gate.
“Good-morning, Deacon Gridley,” said the minister's son.