“Well, you have made up your mind to sell the house now, I suppose?” said the squire.
“No, we hadn't thought of it.”
“But you'll have to.”
“Not if I can get employment,” said Herbert. “Our expenses are very small, and we can live on a little.”
The great man frowned. “That is all nonsense,” he said, impatiently. “It is quite impossible for you to hold on to the house. I am willing to give you cash down three hundred dollars over and above the mortgage for it.”
“That isn't as much as you offered last year,” said Herbert, shrewdly.
“I believe I did offer three hundred and fifty then.”
“Your last offer was fifty dollars more than that.”
“It may be so, but I told your mother that it wasn't a standing offer. She must accept it then or not at all.”
“We don't ask you to purchase,” said Herbert, independently. “I had no idea of such a thing when I came here.”