ercisin' the colt. I say, Rodney,
old Denham mighty nigh owned the critter, and the place to boot. He'd
got his thumb right on 'em when along come a feller as told him to
take it off."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that Denham was--er--foreclosin', that's the word, when this
man interfered."

"What man? Not Mr. Jefferson?"

"No. He would, though, if he'd been round home an' known about it; but
he's away most the time. No, I don't know who the man was. Yer mother
may know fer he left the deed with her. Ye see, 'twas this way. I met
him ridin' like the wind. His nag was all of a lather. He pulled up
an' says, 'Can you tell me where the Allison home is?' I says, 'I
reckon I can, it's right over thar.' He kept on an' met ol' Denham
leadin' Nat out'n the stable. I dunno what was said, but I saw 'em an'
moused right along down whar they was talkin'. Yer mother had gone to
the village. Well, when I got within earshot, I heard the man say,
'I've got the money right here.' Denham didn't act as though he had
any use for money, which looked mighty funny. But the man, he was a
masterful one, I tell ye,--"

"I'll bet Mr. Jefferson sent him. What'd he look like?"

"Oh, I dunno. He was one o' the quality, I c'd see that with half an
eye. Anyhow he jes' tol' Denham to take that money an' Denham 'lowed
he wouldn't. Then the man, he says, 'You'll take that money an' give
me a deed o' that Allison place, free an' clear, or I'll fight ye
through the courts an' I'll win.' Denham, he hemmed an' hawed, but the
man wouldn't stand fer no foolin' an' Denham, he wilted. They went
down to the Squire's to fix the matter up."

"I wish I knew who he was or how I'm going to pay him."

"Don't reckon ye got to pay him. Yer mother's got the deed fer I see
him give it to her."

"It's a debt of honour, Angus. You must help me to think up some way
to make a living, and something besides, off the old place."

"We'll figger it out certain sure, Rodney. You've got a home as no one
can take away from ye if ye don't mortgage it."

On his return to the house Rodney asked his mother about the matter.

"It's all very strange to me. The gentleman, and it was very evident
that he was one, called and handed me a paper, saying, 'Madam, there
is the deed to your home. I understand that leaves you free of debt. I
do not wish to seem impertinent but am I correct?'"

"I told him I knew of no other obligations. I said: 'You are very kind
and I am deeply gra