When you think of him and what he said--"Mr.Cobb interrupted."Said?" he repeated, sharply."What do you mean he said? Eh? What do YOU know he said?""Why--why, he told you about me.You said yourself he did.How much he thought of me, and all.""Is that all you meant?"
"Yes, of course.What else is there to mean? Solomon, you profess to be a Christian.You knew my uncle.He did lots of favors for you; I know he did.Now--""Sshh! shh!" Mr.Cobb seemed strangely perturbed.He waved his hand."Hush!" he repeated."What are you draggin' Cap'n Abner and Christianity and all that in for? They ain't got nothin' to do with that mortgage.Who said they had?""Why, no one said it.No one said anything; no one but me.Idon't know what you mean--"
"Mean! I don't mean nothin'.There! There! Clear out and don't bother me no more today.I'm--I ain't feelin' well.Got a cold comin' on, I cal'late.Clear off home and let me alone.""But I can't go until you tell me about that mortgage.""Yes, you can, too.I can't tell you about nothin' just now.Igot to think, ain't I? Maybe I'll renew that mortgage and maybe Iwon't.I'll tell you when I make up my mind.Time enough between now and spring.I-- Ah, Ezry, how be you? Come on in.Glad to see you."The last portion of the foregoing was addressed to a man who had entered the office.Mr.Cobb did look as if he was really glad to see him.
Thankful rose."I'll go," she said, drearily."I suppose I might as well.But I shan't sleep much until you make up that mind of yours.And do make it up the right way, for my sake--and Uncle Abner's."Her relative waved both hands this time.
"Shh!" he ordered, desperately."Don't say no more now; I don't want the whole creation to know my business and yours.Go on home.
I--I'll come over and see you by and by."So, because she saw there was no use remaining, Mrs.Barnes went.
The drive home, through the dismal grayness of the cloudy afternoon, seemed longer and more trying than the trip over.The dream of raising money for the spring additions and alterations was over; the High Cliff House must do its best as it was for another year at least.As to the renewal of the mortgage, there was a faint hope.Mr.Cobb's final remarks had inspired that hope.He had been on the point of refusing to renew, Thankful was sure of that.Then something was said which caused him to hesitate.Mrs.
Barnes looked out between the ears of jogging George Washington and spoke her thought aloud.
"It's somethin' to do with Uncle Abner," she soliloquized."He don't like to have Uncle Abner mentioned.Hum! I wonder what the reason is.I only wish I knew."To Emily, who was eagerly waiting to hear the result of her cousin's visit to Solomon Cobb, Thankful told but a portion of the truth.She did say, however, that the additional loan appeared to be out of the question and she guessed they would have to get on without the needed alterations for another year.Emily thought they should not.
"If this place is to become really profitable, Auntie," she insisted, "those changes should be made.I don't see why this Mr.
Cobb won't lend you the money; but, if he won't, then I'm sure someone else will, if you ask.Don't you know anyone here in East Wellmouth whom you might ask for a loan--on your prospects?""No.No, I don't."
"Why, yes, you do.There is Captain Bangs, for instance.He is well to do, and I'm sure he is a good friend.Why don't you ask him?"Thankful's answer was prompt and sharp.
"Indeed I shan't," she declared.
"Then I will.I'll be glad to."
"Emily Howes, if you say one word to Cap'n Obed about borrowin'
money from him I'll--I'll never speak to you afterwards.Go to Captain Obed.The idea!""But why not, Auntie? He IS a friend, and--""Of course he is; that's the very reason.He is a friend and he'd probably lend it because he is, whether he knew he'd ever get it back or not.No, when I borrow money it'll be of somebody that lends it as a business deal, not from friendship.""But, Auntie, you went to Mr.Cobb because he was your relative.
You said that was the very reason why you went to him.""Um, yes.Well, I may have GONE to him for that reason, but there ain't any relationship in that mortgage of his; don't you get the notion that there is."Emily's next question, naturally, concerned the renewal of that mortgage.Mrs.Barnes said shortly that she guessed the renewal would be all right.
"He's comin' over to settle it with me pretty soon," she added.
"Now don't worry your head off any more about mortgages and loans, Emily.You're goin' to leave me pretty soon; let's not spend our last days together frettin' about money.That mortgage is all right.Maybe the extra loan will be, too.Maybe--why, maybe Mr.
Kendrick would lend it, if I asked him."
"Mr.Kendrick? Why, Auntie, Mr.Kendrick has no money, or only a very little.He is doing well--very well, considering how short a time he has practised his profession here, but I'm sure he has no money to lend.Why, he tells me--"The expression of Mrs.Barnes' face must have conveyed a meaning;at any rate Emily's sentence broke off in the middle.She colored and seemed embarrassed.
Thankful smiled."Yes," she observed, drily, "I notice he tells you a lot of things--a whole lot more than he does anybody else.
Generally speakin', he is about the closest-mouthed young man about his personal affairs that I ever run across.However, I ain't jealous, not a mite.And 'twa'n't of him I was speakin'; 'twas his cousin, Mr.E.Holliday Kendrick.He's got money enough, I guess.
Maybe he might make a loan on decent security.He's a possibility.
I'll think him over."
