This money he had repaid before the death of the old man, who had never asked any interest for it.

More than a few years had not passed before Bruce, who had a wonderful capacity for petty business, was known to have accumulated some savings in the bank.

Now the younger Forbes, being considerably more enterprising than his father, had spent all his capital upon improvements--draining, fencing, and such like--when a younger brother, to whom he was greatly attached, applied to him for help in an emergency, and he had nothing of his own within his reach wherewith to aid him.

In this difficulty he bethought him of Bruce, to borrow from whom would not involve the exposure of the fact that he was in any embarrassment, however temporary--an exposure very undesirable in a country town like Glamerton.
After a thorough investigation of the solvency of Mr Forbes, and a proper delay for consideration besides, Bruce supplied him with a hundred pounds upon personal bond, at the usual rate of interest, for a certain term of years.

Mr Forbes died soon after, leaving his affairs in some embarrassment in consequence of his outlay.