to Obed. He was ill-natured at home
and ugly at the shop, and Polena declared that he was "gettin' so a body
couldn't live with him." Her own spirits were remarkably high, and Obed
noticed that, as the days went by, she seemed to be unusually excited.
On Thursday she announced that she was going to Orham to visit her
niece, one Sarah Emma Cahoon, and wouldn't be back right off. He knew
better than to object, and so she went.

That evening each of the signers of the letter to Major Hardee received
a courteous note saying that the Major would be pleased to receive the
gentlemen at the Hall. Nothing was said about payment.

So, after some discussion, the creditors marched in procession across
the fields and up to "Silverleaf Hall."

"Hardee's been to Orham to-day," whispered the keeper of the livery
stable, as they entered the yard. "He drove over this mornin' and come
back to-night."

"DROVE over!" exclaimed Obed, halting in his tracks. "He did? Where'd he
get the team? I'll bet five dollars you was soft enough to let him have
it, and never said a word. Well, if you ain't--By jimmy! you wait till I
get at him! I'll show you that he can't soft soap me."

Augustus met them at the door and ushered them into the old-fashioned
parlor. The Major, calm, cool, and imperturbably polite, was waiting to
receive them. He made some observation concerning the weather.

"The day's fine enough," interrupted Obed, pushing to the front, "but
that ain't what we come here to talk about. Are you goin' to pay us what
you owe? That's what we want to know."

The "gentleman of the old school" did not answer immediately. Instead he
turned to the solemn servant at his elbow.

"Augustus," he said, "you may make ready." Then, looking serenely at the
irate Mr. Gott, whose clenched fist rested under the center table, which
he had thumped to emphasize his demands, the Major asked:

"I beg your pardon, my dear sir, but what is the total of my
indebtedness to you?"

"Nineteen dollars and twenty-eight cents, and I want you to understand
that--"

Major Hardee held up a slim, white hand.

"One moment, if you please," he said. "Now, Augustus."

Augustus opened the desk in the corner and produced an imposing stack of
bank notes. Then he brought forth neat piles of halves, quarters, dimes,
and pennies, and arranged the whole upon the table. Obed's mouth and
those of his companions gaped in amazement.

"Have you your bill with you, Mr. Gott?" in