“I'm here on business, you'll be pleased to understand!” he said curtly.
“Quite as you prefer, Jacob,” and the banker instantly corrected his levity of manner.
“Do you recall that when I turned back that mortgage on the Landray farm, you agreed that it was to stand as long as the interest was paid?”
“I think you are mistaken, Jacob, the loan was for one year, if my memory serves me.”
“That has nothing to do with it—I refer to our conversation; and my understanding was that you would not press the payment as long as the interest was kept up!”
“I really don't seem able to recall any conversation to that effect,” said the banker blandly.
“You don't?” said Benson with stern repression.
“No; but perhaps you made a memorandum of it.”
“I didn't, more's the pity, and get your signature while I was about it!”
“It was a pity, Jacob. At my age—eighty-one, Jacob—a man's memory is not his strong point, and you know you have a very persuasive manner with you.”