"Oh, yes;—that is—well, you can hardly call it an incumbrance. The builder has some claim on it, I believe."
"He has a mortgage on it," said John. "I know; for he wanted to sell it to me, and I would not take it."
"The house is worth three times the amount of the mortgage."
"Possibly; but I don't think so."
"Well, what security will you take, then?" asked Joe, evidently disappointed and vexed, but not willing to give up the point.
"There is no use in talking, Joe. You know what my opinion of the whole business was from the beginning."
"Oh, very well," said Joe, stiffly. "Take your own way. I am sure I did not think I was asking such a very great favour in offering to borrow a paltry sum on good security. No doubt it will be easy to find it somewhere else. Every one is not so strait-laced. I shall not be likely to trouble you again very soon. Come, Agnes; it is time we were at home. What on earth did you bring that child out for?"
"Didn't you say yourself that it would be a good thing for her?" replied Agnes.
"What ails Joe?" asked Letty, when they had taken their leave.
"He is vexed because I won't lend him this money to invest in his business. I am sorry he is angry; but I cannot help it. I dare say he will forget it before long, and be just as pleasant as ever."