"And let me tell you, Squire Davenport, if you do this wicked thing, it won't benefit you in the end."
Squire Davenport shrugged his shoulders.
"I am not at all surprised to find you so unreasonable, Mrs. Barclay," he said. "It's the way with women. I should be glad if you would come to look upon the matter in a different light; but I cannot sacrifice my own interests in any event. The law is on my side."
"The law may be on your side, but the law upholds a great deal that is oppressive and cruel."
"A curious set of laws we should have if women made them," said the squire.
"They would not bear so heavily upon the poor as they do now."
"Well, I won't stop to discuss the matter. If you come to entertain different views about the house, send word by Ben, and we will arrange the details without delay. Mr. Kirk is anxious to move his family as soon as possible, and would like to secure the house at once."
"He will have to wait three months at least," said Mrs. Barclay coldly. "For that time, I believe the law protects me."
"You are right there; but at the end of that tine you cannot expect as liberal terms as we are now prepared to offer you."
"Liberal!" repeated the widow, in a meaning tone.