“Oh, they've got a silly notion that no other place would seem like home to them, and, besides, they think I don't offer them enough.”
“How much do you offer them?”
“Eleven hundred dollars; that is, I have a mortgage on the place for seven hundred and fifty. I offer them three hundred and fifty dollars besides.”
“Is that all the money they are worth?”
“Yes; they are very foolish to refuse, for they'll have to come to it some time. In about a week the interest comes due, and I'm very sure they won't be able to meet it.”
“Suppose they don't?”
“Then,” said the squire, with a satisfied smile, “I shall take possession, and they'll have to sell.”
“Herbert says he hopes to be rich some time.”
“I dare say,” said the squire, laughing heartily. “Everybody does, so far as I know.”
“Do you think there is any chance of it?”