Wilder turned half around and gave a solemn wink.
"Then if the cottagers can't raise the money, I'll raise it for 'em!"
"Good!" exclaimed Jarrod. "I think they'll raise it."
"And I think they won't," returned Wilder, smiling sweetly. "They're a bunch of oysters. Whenever I try to raise a few hundreds by subscription to build a new walk, they throw me down."
"Because it is your property," suggested Jarrod. "You and Easton owe a duty to the cottagers to keep the walks in repair at your own expense."
"Well, it'll all be different if we can get the old man to sell out."
"Will you assist us?" asked the lawyer.
"Sure thing. I'll agree to take ten thousand for my third, although it cost me a good deal more years ago. That'll leave twenty thousand for Easton's share, and it's all he deserves. But never mind the details. You just get that option for thirty thousand, and the game's won."
"I'll try," promised Jarrod.
Nora saw that her better half wore a broad smile when he returned to her.