ked for it I'd be a dum sight poorer'n I be now."

Thankful was by this time thoroughly angry.

"Look here," she snapped. "If I'd come to you expectin' you to GIVE me
any money I'd be an idiot as well as a relation. Far's that last part
goes I ain't any prouder of it than you are."

This pointed remark had no more effect than the statement of
relationship. Mr. Cobb was quite unruffled.

"You came to see me," he said, "and you ain't come afore for twenty
year--you said so. Now, when you do come, you want money, you said that,
too."

"Well, what of it?"

"Nothin' of it, 'special. Only when a party comes to me and commences
by sayin' he or she's a relation I know what's comin' next. Relations!
Humph! My relations never done much for me."

Thankful's fingers twitched. "'Cordin' to all accounts you never done
much for them, either," she declared. "You don't even ask 'em to sit
down. Well, you needn't worry so far's I'm concerned. Good-by."

She was on her way out of the office, but he called her back.

"Hi, hold on!" he called. "You ain't told me what that business was yet.
Come back! You--you can set down, if you want to."

Thankful hesitated. She was strongly tempted to go and never return.
And yet, if she did, she must go elsewhere to obtain the mortgage she
wished. And to whom should she go? Reluctantly she retraced her steps.

"Set down," said Mr. Cobb, pulling forward a chair. "Now what is it you
want?"

Mrs. Barnes sat down. "I'll tell you what I don't want," she said with
emphasis. "I don't want you to give me any money or to lend me any,
either--without it's bein' a plain business deal. I ain't askin' charity
of you or anybody else, Solomon Cobb. And you'd better understand that
if you and I are goin' to talk any more."

Mr. Cobb tugged at his whiskers.

"You've got a temper, ain't you," he declared. "Temper's a good thing
to play with, maybe, if you can afford it. I ain't rich enough, myself.
I've saved a good many dollars by keepin' mine. If you don't want me to
give you nor lend you money, what do you want?"

"I want you to take a mortgage on some property I own. You do take
mortgages, don't you?"

More whisker pulling. Solomon nodded.

"I do sometimes," he admitted; "when I cal'late they're safe to take.
Where is this property of yours?"

"Over in East Wellmouth. It's the old Abner Barnes place. Cap'n Abner
willed it to me. He was my uncle."

And at last Mr. Cobb showed marked interest. S