CHAPTER XXXII.  TURNING THE TABLES

The next morning Mr. Morton made inquiries of Frank respecting the mortgage.  Frank explained that a loan of four hundred dollars would enable him to cancel it.

“That is very easily arranged, then,” said Henry Morton.

He opened his pocketbook and drew out four crisp new United States notes, of one hundred dollars each.

“There, Frank,” said he; “that will loosen the hold Squire Haynes has upon you.  I fancy he will find it a little more difficult to extricate himself from my grasp.”

“How can I ever thank you, Mr. Morton?” said Frank, with emotion.

“It gives me great pleasure to have it in my power to be of service to you, Frank,” said his friend kindly.

“We will have a mortgage made out to you,” continued Frank.

“Not without my consent, I hope,” said Mr. Morton, smiling.

Frank looked puzzled.

“No, Frank,” resumed Mr. Morton, “I don’t care for any security.  You may give me a simple acknowledgment of indebtedness, and then pay me at your leisure.”

Frank felt with Justice that Mr. Morton was acting very generously, and he was more than ever drawn to him.

So passed the earlier hours of the forenoon.

About eleven o’clock Squire Haynes was observed approaching the house.  His step was firm and elastic, as if he rejoiced in the errand he was upon.  Again he lifted the knocker, and sounded a noisy summons.  It was in reality a summons to surrender.

The door was opened again by Mrs. Frost, who invited the squire to enter.  He did so, wondering at her apparent composure.

“They can’t have raised the money,” thought he apprehensively.  “No, I am sure the notice was too short.”

Frank was in the room, but Squire Haynes did not deign to notice him, nor did Frank choose to make advances.  Mrs. Frost spoke upon indifferent subjects, being determined to force Squire Haynes to broach himself the business that had brought him to the farm.

Finally, clearing his throat, he said:  “Well, madam, are you prepared to cancel the mortgage which I hold upon your husband’s farm?”

“I hope,” said Mrs. Frost, “you will give us time.  It is hardly possible to obtain so large a sum in twenty-four hours.”

“They haven’t got it,” thought the squire exultingly.

“As to that,” he said aloud, “you’ve had several years to get ready in.”

“Have you no consideration?  Remember my husband’s absence, and I am unacquainted with business.”

“I have already told you,” said the squire hastily, “that I require the money.  I have a note to pay, and——­”

“Can you give us a week?”

“No, I must have the money at once.”

“And if we cannot pay?”

“I must foreclose.”

“Will that give you the money any sooner?  I suppose you would have to advertise the farm for sale before you could realize anything, and I hardly think that car be accomplished sooner than a week hence.”