ning."

"Thank you, sir," said Frank, rising to go.

Frank took his hat, and, bowing to the squire, sought the front door.
His face wore a perplexed expression. He hardly knew what to think about
the interview he had just had.

"Squire Haynes talks fair enough," he soliloquized; "and, perhaps, he
means what he says. If it hadn't been for what Mr. Morton told me, I
should have confidence in him. But a man who will betray a trust is
capable of breaking his word to me. I think I'll look round a little,
and see if I can't provide for the worse in case it comes."

Just after Frank left the house, John entered his father's presence.

"What did Frank Frost want of you, father?" he asked.

"He came about the mortgage."

"Did he want to pay it?"

"No, he wants me to renew it."

"Of course you refused."

"Of course I did no such thing. Do you think I am a fool?"

"You don't mean to say that you agreed to renew it?" demanded John, in
angry amazement.

Squire Haynes rather enjoyed John's mystification.

"Come," said he, "I'm afraid you'll never make a lawyer if you're not
sharper than that comes to. Never reveal your plans to your adversary.
That's an important principle. If I had refused, he would have gone
to work, and in ten days between now and the first of July, he'd have
managed in some way to scrape together the eight hundred dollars. He's
got half of it now."

"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