“What did you tell him, then?”

“I put him off by telling him not to trouble himself—­that I would not foreclose the mortgage unless I had unexpected occasion for the money.”

“Yes, I see,” said John, his face brightening at the anticipated disaster to the Frosts.  “You’ll take care that there shall be some sudden occasion.”

“Yes,” said the squire complacently.  “I’ll have a note come due, which I had not thought about, or something of the kind.”

“Oh, that’ll be bully.”

“Don’t use such low words, John.  I have repeatedly requested you to be more careful about your language.  By the way, your teacher told me yesterday that you are not doing as well now as formerly.”

“Oh, he’s an old muff.  Besides, he’s got a spite against me.  I should do a good deal better at another school.”

“We’ll see about that.  But I suspect he’s partly right.”

“Well, how can a feller study when he knows the teacher is determined to be down upon him?”

" ‘Feller!’ I am shocked at hearing you use that word.  ’Down upon him,’ too!”

“Very well; let me go where I won’t hear such language spoken.”

It would have been well if Squire Haynes had been as much shocked by bad actions as by low language.

This little disagreement over, they began again to anticipate with pleasure the effect of the squire’s premeditated blow upon the Frosts.

“We’ll come up with ’em?” said John, with inward exultation.

Meanwhile, though the squire was entirely unconscious of it, there was a sword hanging over his own head.

CHAPTER XXXI.  SQUIRE HAYNES SPRINGS HIS TRAP

As intimated in the last chapter, Frank determined to see if he could not raise the money necessary to pay off the mortgage in case it should be necessary to do so.

Farmer Maynard was a man in very good circumstances.  He owned an excellent farm, which yielded more than enough to support his family.  Probably he had one or two thousand dollars laid aside.

“I think he will help me,” Frank said to himself, “I’ll go to him.”

He went to the house, and was directed to the barn.  There he found the farmer engaged in mending a hoe-handle, which had been broken, by splicing it.

He unfolded his business.  The farmer listened attentively to his statement.

“You say the squire as much as told you that he would renew the mortgage?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I wouldn’t trouble myself then; I’ve no doubt he’ll do it.”

“He said, unless he should have some sudden occasion for the money.”

“All right.  He is a prudent man, and don’t want to bind himself.  That is all.  You know the most unlikely things may happen; but I don’t believe the squire’ll want the money.  He’s got plenty in the bank.”

“But if he should?”