But, boiled down and shorn of politeness and subterfuge, his proposition was that Thankful should sell her property to him, after which he would either tear down the buildings on that property, or move them to a less objectionable site.
"But, Auntie," cried Emily, "of course you told him you didn't want to sell." "Sartin I did.

I told him all I had was invested here, that my first season had been a good one considerin' 'twas the first, and that my prospects were all I had a right to hope for.

I told him I was sorry if my boarders had plagued him and I'd try to see they didn't do so any more.

But I couldn't think of sellin' out." "And what did he say to that ?" "What didn't he say?
What I said didn't make a bit of difference.
He made proclamation that any reasonable price I might name he would consider.

He wouldn't submit to what he called 'extortion' of course, but he would be perfectly fair, and all that.