“It isn't worth near that now.”
“It is certainly worth more than eleven hundred, which is all you offer.”
“Look here, Carter,” said the squire, “I don't mind telling you that I want the place for one of my men—Brown. That is my only object in making you an offer at all. He is the cousin of Mr. Banks, my superintendent, and I rather think Banks will find you something to do, if you will induce your mother to sell the place.”
“I can't do that,” said Herbert, slowly. “I can't consent to my mother making such a sacrifice. She might as well give you three or four hundred dollars as sell the place so much under price.”
“You are a boy, and know nothing about business. You think property must necessarily bring its first cost, though, mind you, I don't admit that yours cost anything like fifteen hundred dollars.”
“I am inexperienced,” Herbert admitted, “but I am sure it would be foolish to sell for eleven hundred dollars.”
“You may have to sell for less.”
“How is that?”
“If you are not prepared with the interest when the time comes, I shall foreclose.”
“You wouldn't be so hard on us as that, Squire Leech,” said Herbert, anxiously.