“I wonder why he didn't take the money,” thought James. “He may be poor and proud; I've heard of such cases; but of course it would be absurd for a boy in his position to be proud.”
Herbert kept on his way with a very serious face. It seemed as if they must lose their home, after all.
CHAPTER XIII
MR. BANKS, THE SUPERINTENDENT
After his interview with Squire Leech, Herbert walked home slowly and thoughtfully. He comprehended now all the danger of the situation. The squire wanted their house, and was mean enough to desire to get it at less than its value, though two or three hundred dollars would have been of little account to him, while to the poor widow whom he wished to defraud it was a great sum.
“How can a rich man be so mean?” exclaimed Herbert, indignantly.
That question has puzzled more than our hero. Is there something in riches that dwarfs the man, and makes him mean and ignoble? In too many instances such appears to be the effect.
“Well, mother,” said Herbert, when he returned to the cottage, “I've been to see Squire Leech.”
“What success did you meet with?” asked his mother, anxiously.