"But if receiving interest on the mortgages is to be contingent on the success of a 'system'--and of course a son-in-law must grant indulgence if his wife's father gets behind--the young people might not have much to live on. In any case, there are still the other instalments--a very fair provision--if the young lady should condescend, and the young man can be brought to the point--which, with the unruly youth of the present day, is, I confess, doubtful; and the more difficult to accomplish, the less ground of dissatisfaction there may be, beyond mere aversion to be dictated to. Business arrangements cannot be left open, in waiting, to accommodate the whims of boys and girls."
"Would you buy La Hache? How much would you give?"
"Are you in earnest? Do you propose to hand it over in settlement of the mortgages?"
"How much more would you give--'to boot,' as you say in buying a horse."
"I didn't contemplate buying. It would not suit me to have so large a sum tied up in unremunerative acres. If I were to buy, it could only be that I might sell again, and that involves delays, expenses, uncertainties, loss of interest. No! Mr. Rouget, it is not to be thought of. If there is a default in payment all the mortgages fall due at once, and in our small market the sum involved in the foreclosure is as large as any buyer would be likely to bid on one property."
"But, my friend! Ze securities aire ample. You had it valued four years ago."
"Certainly. It seemed safe for the money at that time. But you were then supposed to be well off, independently of the property; today you have explained that you are so no longer, and cannot even attend to the regular interest."
"Lend me anoder fifty tousand on de property."
"Not to be thought of."
"Tirty----"