“Probably he was telling him that he had a mortgage on it.”
“When does the interest come due on the mortgage?”
“Next week. I had only five dollars laid by to meet it, but, thanks to my legacy, I shall have no trouble in the matter.”
“If you couldn't pay the interest, could the squire foreclose?”
“Yes, that's the law, I believe.”
“And he would take advantage of it. But he never shall, if I can prevent it.”
CHAPTER IX
A BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
Squire Leech lived in a large, square, white house, situated on an eminence some way back from the street. It had bay windows on either side of the front door, a gravel walk, bordered with flowers, leading to the gate, a small summerhouse on the lawn, and altogether was much the handsomest residence in the village. Three years before, the house, or, at all events, the principal rooms, had been newly furnished from the city. No wonder the squire and all the family held up their heads, and regarded themselves as belonging to the aristocracy.