"I hope you will live as long as you wish to. But, Mrs. Mack, you must make yourself comfortable. Old people live longer if they live in comfort. Will you have the tea?"
"I don't mind," answered Mrs. Mack, brightening up at the prospect of this unwonted luxury.
She did not allow herself tea every day, on account of its cost. There are many foolish people in the world, but among the most foolish are those who deny themselves ordinary comforts in order to save money for their heirs.
The tea was prepared, and the old woman drank it with evident enjoyment.
"Your boy came up yesterday to borrow three dollars," she began then, coming to business.
"Yes, he told me so."
"He said he'd pay me Saturday night."
"Yes, he gets two weeks' pay then."
"I—I was afraid he might not pay me back, and I can't afford to lose so much money. I'm a poor old woman."
"Mark would have paid you back. He always pays his debts."