"I don't know," said the deacon. "I never thought of sellin', but I can't say I'm opposed to it. I'm getting good rent from the widder Manning."
"There's no knowing, deacon, how long she'll be able to pay her rent," said the squire, nodding with a meaning look.
"Sho! you don't say! She ain't lost any money, has she?"
"She had none to lose. Her boy Mark has about supported her with his small earnings in the shop. But he isn't employed there any longer."
"I heard something of that. Did you discharge him?"
"Yes; he got too uppish—wasn't willing to obey orders. I was sorry to discharge him on his mother's account, but it was his own fault."
"Seems to me I haven't seen him round the village lately?"
"No; he has gone to the city on some wild-goose expedition. My boy James thinks he is blacking boots or selling papers. As to that I can't say, but it isn't likely he is able to help his mother much."
"I hear Mrs. Manning has a boarder?"
"Yes; it's the old hermit that lived in the woods. I believe he has a small pension from some relations, but it doesn't amount to much. Probably he doesn't pay more than two or three dollars a week board. That won't go far, eh, deacon?"