This office was in a wing of his house, which was a large and handsome house in the center of the village.

Mr.Keep had a son who was a physician, and he used often to ask his son's opinion and advice about his affairs.

One day when Mr.
Keep was sitting in his office, Mr.Gordon came in and told him that he had some plans for enlarging his business a little, and wished to know if Mr.Keep had two or three hundred dollars that he would like to lend for six months.

Mr.Keep, who, though he was a very benevolent and a very honorable man, was very careful in all his money dealings, said that he would look a little into his accounts, and see how much he had to spare, and let Mr.Gordon know the next day.
That night Mr.Keep asked his son what he thought of lending Mr.
Gordon two or three hundred dollars.

His son said doubtfully that he did not know.