"What is the debt?"
"Several thousands, I believe."
"And how much does he have to pay upon that every year?"
"I don't know exactly — one or two, two or three hundred dollars; and that keeps us down, you see, till the mortgage is paid off."
"I didn't know that."
They sat silent a little time. Then Winthrop said,
"You and I must pay that money off, Will."
"Ay — but still there's a question which is the best way to do it," said Rufus.
"The best way, I've a notion," said Winthrop looking round at his cattle, — "is not to take too long noon-spells in the afternoon."
"Stop a bit. Sit down! — I want to speak to you. Do you want to spend all your life following the oxen?"