I may have a talk with him afore I decide about renewin'
that mortgage. It looks to me as if 'twould be pretty good business to
dicker with him. He's got money, and if I can get some of it, so much
the better for me."
"Solomon, you don't mean--"
"I don't know what I mean yet, I tell ye. But I do tell you this: I'm
a business man and I know the value of money. I worked hard for what I
got; 'twa'n't left me by nobody, like some folks's I hear of. Don't
ask me no more questions. I'll see old Kendrick tomorrow, maybe; he's
expected down."
"He is? Mr. Holliday Kendrick? How do you know?"
"I know 'cause I found out, same as I usually find out things. Chris
Badger got a telegram through his office from Holliday to John Kendrick
sayin' he'd come on the noon train."
"But why should he come? And on Christmas day?"
"I don't know. Probably he ain't so silly about Christmas as the average
run of idiots. He's a business man, too. There! Good night, good night.
Leave me alone so's I can say my prayers and turn in. I'm pretty nigh
beat out."
"And you won't tell me about that mortgage?"
"No. I'll tell you when my mind's made up; that ain't yet."
Thankful turned to go. At the threshold she spoke once more.
"I wonder what you say in those prayers of yours, Solomon," she
observed. "I should imagine the Lord might find 'em interestin'."
"I'm glad I said it, Emily," she told her cousin, who was awaiting her
in her bedroom. "I presume likely it'll do more harm than good, but it
did ME good while I was sayin' it.
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