"Seventeen hundred and ninety-six," replied Leopold.
"That's just the amount I don't want. Of course when I say 'I,' my folks is meant. Now, Le, your father wants money just as badly as my mother does; and we will lend the seventeen hundred and ninety-six dollars to him, taking his note on interest, just as Mr. Hamilton would give it. But I would rather give you five hundred of the money."
"You can't give me a dollar; but if you will lend some of the money to my father, I should like it first rate."
"I will—the whole of it," protested Stumpy.
"This is quite a sensible arrangement, my boys," said the merchant; "and I have so much confidence in Mr. Bennington's integrity, that I will indorse his note. But it strikes me that you are going rather too fast, Stumpy."
"Why, sir?"
"Perhaps I have led you too rapidly over the ground. Whatever property your father left—this money included—belongs to his family. I suppose an administrator ought to be appointed."
"Creation! That would be Squire Moses!" exclaimed Stumpy, aghast.
"No; your mother may be appointed."
"My mother! Well, now I think of it, I believe she was appointed. I didn't know much about such things at the time."