and'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."

"The delay is only a subterfuge on your part," said the squire hotly.
"You would be no better prepared at the end of a week than you are now."

"No, perhaps not," said Mrs. Frost quietly.

"And yet you ask me to wait," said the squire indignantly. "Once for
all, let me tell you that all entreaties are vain. My mind is made up to
foreclose, and foreclose I will."

"Don't be too sure of that," interrupted Frank, with a triumphant smile.

"Ha, young impudence!" exclaimed the squire, wheeling round. "Who's to
prevent me, I should like to know?"

"I am," said Frank boldly.

The squire fingered his cane nervously. He was very strongly tempted to
lay it on our hero's back. But he reflected that the power was in his
hands, and that he was sure of his revenge.

"You won't gain anything by your impudence," he said loftily. "I might
have got you a place, out of pity to your mother, if you had behaved
differently. I need a boy to do odd jobs about the house, and I might
have offered the place to you."

"Thank you for your kind intentions," said Frank, "but I fear the care
of this farm will prevent my accepting your tempting offer."

"The care of the farm!" repeated the squire angrily. "Do you think I
will delegate it to you?"

"I don't see what you have to do about it," said Frank.

"Then you'll find out," roared the squire. "I shall take immediate
possession, and require you to leave at once."

"Then I suppose we had better pay the mortgage, mother," said Frank.

"Pay the mortgage! You can't do it," said the squire exultingly.

"Have you the document with you?" inquired Mrs. Frost.

"Yes, madam."

"Name the amount due on i