not, I can employ him a part of the time on my land."

"What has all this to do with me?" thought Mrs. Barclay.

She soon learned.

"Of course he will need a house," pursued the squire, "and as his
family is small, he thinks this house will just suit him."

"But I don't wish to sell," said the widow hurriedly. "I need this
house for Ben and myself."

"You could doubtless find other accommodations. I dare say you could
hire a couple of rooms from Elnathan Perkins."

"I wouldn't live in that old shell," said Mrs. Barclay rather
indignantly, "and I am sure Ben wouldn't."

"I apprehend Benjamin will have no voice in the matter," said Squire
Davenport stiffly. "He is only a boy."

"He is my main support, and my main adviser," said Mrs. Barclay, with
spirit, "and I shall not take any step which is disagreeable to him."

Mr. Kirk looked disappointed, but the squire gave him an assuring
look, as the widow could see.

"Perhaps you may change your mind," said the squire significantly. "I
am under the impression that I hold a mortgage on this property."

"Yes, sir," assented Mrs. Barclay apprehensively.

"For the sum of seven hundred dollars, if I am not mistaken."

"Yes, sir."

"I shall have need of this money for other purposes, and will trouble
you to take it up."

"I was to have three months' notice," said the widow, with a troubled
look.

"I will give you three months' notice to-night," said the squire.

"I don't know where to raise the money," faltered Mrs. Barclay.

"Then you had better sell to my friend here. He will assume the
mortgage and pay you three hundred dollars."

"But that will be only a thousand dollars for the place."

"A very fair price, in my opinion, Mrs. Barclay."

"I have always considered it worth fifteen hundred dollars," said the
widow, very much disturbed.

"A fancy price, my dear madam; quite an absurd price, I assure you.
What do you say, Kirk?"

"I quite agree with you, squire," said Kirk, in a strong, nasal tone.
"But then, women don't know anything of business."

"I know that you and your cousin are trying to take advantage of my
poverty," said Mrs. Barclay bitterly. "If you are a carpenter, why
don't you build a house for yourself, instead of trying to deprive me
of mine?"

"That's my business," said Kirk rudely.

"Mr. Kirk cannot spare the time to build at present," said the squire.

"Then why doesn't he hire rooms from Elnathan Perkins, as you just
reco