I
can get along without it, I guess; or, if I can't, I can borrow it of
somebody else."
"Humph! You're pretty sassy, seems to me, for anybody that's askin'
favors."
"I'm not askin' favors. I told you that when I first come to you. What I
asked was just business and nothin' else."
"Is that so? As I understand it you're askin' to have a mortgage
renewed. That may be business, or it may be a favor, 'cordin' to how you
look at it."
Thankful fought down her temper. The renewal of the mortgage was a vital
matter to her. If it was not renewed what should she do? What could she
do? All she had in the world and all her hopes for the future centered
about her property in East Wellmouth. If that were taken from her--
"Well," she admitted, "perhaps it is a favor, then."
"Perhaps 'tis. Why should I renew that mortgage? I don't cal'late to
renew mortgages, as a general thing. Did I say anything about renewin'
it when I took it? I don't remember that I did."
"No, no--I guess you didn't. But I hope you will. If you
don't--I--I--Solomon Cobb, that boardin'-house means everything to me.
I've put all I've got in it. It has got the best kind of a start and in
another year--I--I--Please, Oh PLEASE don't close me out."
"Humph!"
"Please don't. You told me when I was here before what a lot you thought
of my Uncle Abner. You knew how much he thought of me. When you think of
him and what he said--"
Mr. Cobb interrupted. "Said?" he repeated, sharply.
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