“If you will stay five minutes longer,” he said, “I should like to ask you one or two questions. My mother tells me that you have been trying to obtain money for the land warrant I placed in your hands.”
“Yes,” said the squire.
“May I ask what success you have met with?”
“Probably she will realize a hundred dollars from it.”
“On the whole, Squire Turner, we will not trouble you to do anything more about it. I think I can do better than that.”
“I have your mother’s authority to act as her agent. You are a boy, and not competent to manage it.”
“My mother recalls her authority.”
“Is this true?” demanded the squire, hotly.
“Yes,” said the widow. “Now that Harry is at home, I think he can attend to it.”
“Then you won’t realize a cent,” snapped the squire. “But you can’t blame me. I have been doing my best for you, and that is all the thanks I get. I shall now charge you with the expenses I have incurred in the matter, though I did not intend to do so.”