“I don't know but we shall have to come to his terms,” said Herbert, rather dejectedly. “We certainly shall if I don't find anything to do.”
“I wish I could help you; but, if you were to learn my trade, you wouldn't be worth any wages for nigh a year, and you couldn't afford to work so long without pay.”
“No, I couldn't.”
“Besides, in a village like this, there isn't more than enough work for one man. Why, there isn't more than one new house built a year. If the squire wants to provide Mr. Banks with a house, why doesn't he build him one? He might just as well as not.”
“It would cost him more than to buy our place at the price he offers.”
“So it would. Your place must have cost fifteen hundred dollars, land and all.”
“So I did, but the squire laughed at the idea. All he offers is eleven hundred.”
“Don't you sell at that price. It would be too much of a sacrifice.”
“We won't unless we are obliged to.”
“I hope you won't be obliged to. A man as rich as Squire Leech ought not to try to get it under price.”