Robert was about to express his gratitude, but Mr. Huet stopped him.
“You owe me no thanks,” he said. “It is only the first installment of a great debt which I can never wholly repay.”
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE LANDLORD’S DEFEAT
About ten o’clock the next morning Mr. Nahum Jones approached the Trafton cottage.
Sitting on a bench outside was Robert Coverdale, whittling. He had put on his old clothes, intending it to be for the last time. He wanted to surprise Mr. Jones.
“There’s Bob Coverdale,” said Mr. Jones to himself. “He don’t look much as if he was able to pay the mortgage. I guess I’ve got the place fast enough.”
“Is your aunt at home, young man?” he asked pompously.
“Yes,” answered Robert, continuing to whittle.