"
"That's true. It was a hard bargain, but I could do no better."
"You say you won't be able to meet the payment. What will be the
consequence?"
"I suppose Squire Green will take back the cow."
"Perhaps you can get another somewhere else, on better terms."
"I am afraid my credit won't be very good. I agreed to forfeit ten
dollars to Squire Green, if I couldn't pay at the end of six months."
"Will he insist on that condition?"
"I am afraid he will. He is a hard man."
"Then," said Mrs. Walton, indignantly, "he won't deserve to prosper."
"Worldly prosperity doesn't always go by merit. Plenty of mean men
prosper."
Before Mrs. Walton had time to reply, a knock was heard at the
door.
"Go to the door, Tom," said his father.
Tom obeyed, and shortly reappeared, followed by a small man with a
thin figure and wrinkled face, whose deep-set, crafty eyes peered
about him curiously as he entered the room.
"Good evening, Squire Green," said Mr. Walton, politely, guessing
his errand.
"Good evenin', Mrs. Walton. The air's kinder frosty. I ain't so
young as I was once, and it chills my blood."
"Come up to the fire, Squire Green," said Mrs. Walton, who wanted
the old man to be comfortable, though she neither liked nor respected
him.
The old man sat down and spread his hands before the fire.
"Anything new stirring, Squire?" asked Hiram Walton.
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