“You offered four hundred dollars less than it cost.”
“That is nonsense! It never cost fifteen hundred dollars.”
“I have my husband's word for it,” said the widow.
“Then, he made some mistake, you may be sure.”
“I am sure father was right,” said Herbert. “Besides, we have his bills to prove it.”
“That's neither here nor there,” said Squire Leech, impatiently. “Even if it cost ten thousand dollars, it's only worth eleven hundred now; that is to say, three hundred and fifty dollars over and above the mortgage.”
“You are hard upon me, Squire Leech,” said Mrs. Carter, despondently.
“You are a woman, ma'am, and women never understand business. I make allowance for you; but your son ought to know better than to encourage you.”
“I want my mother to be treated fairly and justly.”
“Do you mean to imply that I would treat her otherwise, young man?” demanded the squire, angrily. “I advise you not to make an enemy of me.”