"So she is, every cent of it."
"And she cost me only thirty," thought Squire Hudson, with a smile of content.
He was a rich man, and abundantly able to pay his poor neighbor the full value of the cow; but somehow it never occurred to him to do it. He was not above taking an unfair advantage of a man who was unluckily in his power. Of course the squire knew that Farmer Nelson had a right to redeem the cow at the price agreed upon with interest; but he felt pretty safe on this point. The farmer was not very likely to have thirty dollars to spare, and as for a remittance from Tom the squire was pretty sure none would be received.
"It'll be all the boy can do to take care of himself out there," he reflected, "let alone sending money home. He may send ten dollars or so some time; but it's very doubtful, very doubtful!"
Squire Hudson turned to go back to the house when he saw the man of whom he had been thinking coming up the road. He stopped short, thinking the farmer might wish to speak to him.
"Good-morning, Mr. Nelson," he said, pleasantly, for he was in good-humor.
"Good-morning, squire."
"Your Whiteface has got to feel quite at home in my barn-yard."
"She is a good cow, Squire Hudson."
"Yes, tolerable, tolerable."