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β€œYes; it is sudden.”

β€œWhere is he gone?”

β€œThey told me at the hotel that he was going to sail to South America. His eyes are weak, you know, and the doctor thinks the voyage will do him good.”

β€œI wonder he didn't take the Carter boy with him, he seemed infatuated with him.”

β€œHe don't care anything about Carter. At any rate, he will forget all about him, now he is away. The beggarly upstart will have to draw in his horns now. He won't put on so many airs, I'm thinking.”

β€œHow much did Cameron pay him for reading to him?”

β€œFive dollars a week.”

β€œA perfectly preposterous price.”

β€œSo I think. But he won't get it now.”

β€œThey'll find it hard to get along.”

β€œOf course they will. They can't pay you interest on the mortgage now.”

β€œI don't see how they can.”

β€œAnd you can take possession of the house, can't you?”

β€œI certainly shall if the interest isn't paid promptly.”

β€œPerhaps Carter would sell his boat now. He was pretty stiff about it before.”

β€œI wouldn't make him an offer.”

β€œWhy not?”

β€œIf he succeeded in selling the boat he might be able to pay the interest, and delay my getting possession of the property.”

β€œThat is true,” said James. β€œI didn't think of that. Besides, you have promised me a sailboat next spring.”

β€œIf business is good, as I hope it may be, you shall have one. At present I am rather short of money.”

β€œI thought you always had plenty of money, father,” said James, in surprise.

β€œI have been buying stocks in the city, James, and that has tied up my money. However, I shall probably make a very handsome profit when I sell out. My friend assures me that I stand a chance of making twenty thousand dollars,” concluded the squire, complacently.

β€œThat's a big pile of money,” said James. β€œAre you pretty sure of making it?”

β€œThe chances are greatly in my favor. Of course, it depends on the turn of the market.”

β€œIf you succeed, will you move to New York, father?”

β€œVery probably.”

β€œI hope you will. This village is awfully slow. New York is the place to see life.”

β€œThere are some kinds of life it is not profitable to see,” said the squire, shrewdly.

β€œI don't want to be cooped up in a little country village all my life,” grumbled James.

β€œYou won't be. Don't trouble yourself on that score.”

β€œIt will do well enough for Carter. He isn't fit for anything but a country bumpkin, but it don't suit me.”

β€œWell, James, you must be patient, and things may turn out as you desire.”

At the same time Herbert was holding a consultation with his mother.

β€œMy prospects are not very bright here, mother,” he said, rather despondently. β€œI am ready enough to work, but there is no work to be had, so far as I can see.”

β€œYou forget your garden, Herbert.”

β€œYes; that will help us a little; but I can't expect to clear more than twenty dollars out of it, and twenty dollars won't go a great way.”

β€œIt is something, Herbert.”

β€œIt isn't enough to pay our next interest bill.”

Mrs. Carter looked troubled,

β€œIf I could sell the property for what it cost your father I should be tempted to do it.”

β€œYou mean for fifteen hundred dollars?”

β€œYes; that would give us seven hundred and fifty dollars over the mortgage.”

β€œI should be in favor of selling, too, in that case; but Squire Leech only offers eleven hundred at the outside.”

β€œHe ought to be more considerate.”

β€œHe wants to make a bargain at your expense, mother. That isn't all. He is provoked to think you haven't accepted his offer before, and, of course, that won't incline him to be any more liberal.”

β€œI am afraid we shall have to part with our home,” said the widow, with a sigh.

β€œThere is one hope, mother. I don't like to think of it too much, for fear it won't amount to anything; but father's invention may prove valuable. You know Mr. Cameron's father has agreed to examine it.”

β€œIf we could only get two or three hundred dollars for it, it would be a great help.”

β€œIf we get anything at all we shall get more. I am afraid we shall have to wait, though, for Mr. Cameron writes me his father is going to Europe for a few months.”

β€œEverything seems against us, Herbert,” said his mother, in a despondent tone.

But Herbert was more hopeful.

β€œIf we can only manage to keep along and pay the next interest, I think we'll be all right, mother,” he said. β€œI mean to try, anyway. If there's any work to be had anywhere within five miles, I'll try to obtain it. How much money have you got left, mother?”

β€œTen dollars and a half.”

β€œAnd here are fifteen that Mr. Cameron sent me. No chance of the poorhouse for a month, mother. Before that has gone by something may turn up.”





CHAPTER XXXI A NEW START

Harvest came, and for the time Herbert was busy. He could not afford to hire assistance, and was obliged to do all the work himself. When all was finished, and his share of the vegetables sold, he sat down to count up his profits.

β€œWell, mother,” he asked, β€œhow much money do you think I have made by farming?”

β€œYou expected to make twenty dollars.”

β€œI have cleared twenty-one dollars and a

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