"Of course you told him about your son," sneered the money-lender.
"I did not," replied the deacon sadly.
"People will be likely to know all about it now."
"They will be likely to know at the same time that somebody required me to mortgage my place for seven hundred dollars, in order to obtain six hundred," added the deacon, sharply.
Squire Moses was startled, for he valued his reputation more than his character as known to God and himself.
"Perhaps neither of us had better say anything," said he, biting his lip, and leaving the shop.
"We will keep still till Squire Moses lets on," said Stumpy; and everybody except the usurer was pleased.
Stumpy went home, and told his mother what he had done in her name, with which she was entirely satisfied. In due time the release and the mortgage were recorded; Mrs. Wormbury was re-appointed administratrix and guardian of her children, and all other necessary legal steps were taken to prevent any future difficulty, if Squire Moses was disposed to question the widow's proceedings.
The first of July came. The New York party were still at the Sea Cliff House, though nearly every day they made an excursion in the Orion. They were still enjoying themselves to the utmost, and the hotel grew in favor with them the longer they stayed. Mr. Bennington had quietly paid every bill presented to him, without informing any one that he was "in funds." Squire Moses had not been near him; in fact, the old man had been to Bangor to look out for a piece of property on which he held a mortgage, and about which there was "a hitch." In his absence, the landlord's creditors, seeing that he was doing a good business, did not disturb him. Even Jones kept away till the first day of the month; but when he presented himself, his note was promptly paid.
While he was still in the office of the hotel, Squire Moses, who had just returned from Bangor, entered, with his mortgage note in his hand. He was very cross and very ugly, for he was in peril of losing the whole or part of the money he had loaned on the Bangor property. As he had stirred up all the landlord's creditors, he was confident that Mr. Bennington would not be able to pay him.