"In that case, the rent will be four hundred dollars a year, or a hundred dollars a quarter. In the city, or at Long Branch, as you probably are aware, four times as much would be required."
"I think that will be satisfactory. Can immediate possession be given?"
"Yes; I will at once set the cleaners to work, and have it got ready by the end of the week. One question I am obliged to ask. Is the party for whom you are acting, responsible, in a pecuniary way?"
"The first quarter's rent will be paid in advance."
"Pretty satisfactory. May I ask the name of the tenant?"
"There are reasons for keeping it secret for a few days."
"Oh, well, that is not material."
Old Anthony never said a word about what he had done, for, as my readers will conjecture, he meant to have Mark and his mother occupy the house. It did, however, get noised about, that Mr. Beach's house was taken. Squire Collins among others, was curious to ascertain something about the new tenants, and made a call on Mr. Thompson, with the special object of finding out.
"I am no wiser than you, Squire Collins," said Mr. Thompson. "Of course we shall all know in a few days."
"By whom was the matter negotiated?"