"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 recommended to me ?" "They wouldn't suit him," said the squire curtly.

"He has set his mind on this house." "Squire Davenport," said Mrs.Barclay, in a softened voice, "I am sure you cannot understand what you ask of me when you seek to take my home and turn me adrift.

Here I lived with my poor husband; here my boy was born.