"For that very reason I am glad he has been selected," said the squire
emphatically. "I take it for granted that the farm will be mismanaged,
and become a bill of expense, instead of a source of revenue. It's
pretty certain that Frost won't be able to pay the mortgage when it
comes due. I can bid off the farm for a small sum additional and make a
capital bargain. It will make a very good place for you to settle down
upon, John."

"Me!" said John disdainfully. "You don't expect me to become a plodding
farmer, I trust. I've got talent for something better than that, I
should hope."

"No," said the squire, "I have other news for you. Still, you could hire
a farmer to carry it on for you, and live out there in the summer."

"Well, perhaps that would do," said John, thinking that it would sound
well for him, even if he lived in the city, to have a place in the
country. "When does the mortgage come due, father?"

"I don't remember the exact date. I'll look and see."

The squire drew from a closet a box hooped with iron, and evidently made
for security. This was his strong-box, and in this he kept his bonds,
mortgages, and other securities.

He selected a document tied with red ribbon, and examined it briefly.

"I shall have the right to foreclose the mortgage on the first of next
July," he said.

"I hope you will do it then. I should like to see them Frosts humbled."

"THEM Frosts! Don't you know anything more about English grammar, John?"

"Those Frosts, then. Of course, I know; but a feller can't always be
watching his words."

"I desire you never again to use the low word 'feller,'" said the
squire, who, as the reader will see, was more particular about
grammatical accuracy than about some other things which might be
naturally supposed to be of higher importance.

"Well," said John sulkily, "anything you choose."

"As to the mortgage," proceeded Squire Haynes, "I have no idea they will
be able to lift it. I feel certain that Frost won't himself have the
money at command, and I sha'n't give him any grace, or consent to a
renewal. He may be pretty sure of that."

"Perhaps he'll find somebody to lend him the money."

"I think not. There are those who would be willing, but I question
whether there is any such who could raise the money at a moment's
warning. By the way, you need not mention my purpose in this matter to
any one. If it should leak out, Mr. Frost might hear of it, and prepare
for it."

"You