"He has more money than he knows what to do with," said her father, almost complainingly. "It seems hard that money should be so unevenly distributed."
"Money is not happiness," said Mrs. Nelson quietly.
"No; but it helps to buy happiness."
"I don't think Squire Hudson is as happy a man as you, Mark."
Mark Nelson's face softened as he surveyed his wife and children.
"I am happy at home," he said, "and I don't think the squire is."
"I am sure he isn't," said Tom. "Mrs. Hudson is sour and ill-tempered, and Sinclair—the only child—is a second edition of his mother. He is the most unpopular boy in the village."
"Still," said the farmer, not quite convinced, "money is an important element of happiness, and a farmer stands a very poor chance of acquiring it. Tom, I advise you not to be a farmer."
"I don't mean to be if I can help it," said Tom. "I am ready for any opening that offers. I hope some day to pay off the mortgage on the farm, and make you a free man, father."
"Thank you for your good intentions, Tom; but two thousand dollars is a large sum of money."