Squire Carter was much irritated.  Besides, he did not believe that Andy would really be able to furnish his father with the help he needed.

“I am not easily deceived, Andrew Grant,” he said.  “It is useless for me to remain here any longer.  I will only say that if the interest is not paid on Tuesday next, your father must take the consequences.”

“He is ready to pay it now—­before it is due—­if you will give him a receipt.”

“Wh—­what!” ejaculated the squire, in amazement.

“I mean what I say.  Father, will you give the squire writing materials and ask him to make out a receipt?”

“Is this—­straight?  Are you really able to pay the interest now?”

“Yes, sir.  You need have no fear on that score.  When my father wrote me about his difficulty I procured the money, and I have it here.”

Half incredulous, Squire Carter made out the receipt, and a roll of bills was handed to him.  He counted them carefully, and put them in his wallet.

“The money is correct,” he said, stiffly.  “I am glad you are able to pay it.”

“Thanks to Andy here,” said his father, with a grateful look at his son.

“All is well so far, but if your son has borrowed the money it will have to be repaid.”

“I didn’t borrow it, Squire Carter.”

“Do you mean to say that you have been able to save it up out of your boy’s wages?”

“I received it from my employer for special services.”

Squire Carter left the house not altogether satisfied.  He had received his interest, but he had hoped to profit by the farmer’s needs, and get what would have been of considerably greater value than the money.  In this he had been disappointed.

“But six months hence interest will be due again,” he reflected, by way of consolation.  “This time the Grants were lucky, but won’t be so all the time.  Besides, when the mortgage falls due it will take more help than the boy can give to settle it.”

When the squire reached home, he found Conrad waiting to see him.

“Well, pa,” he said, “am I going to have the boat?”

“No,” answered his father, shortly.

“Why not?  You said you would get it for me.”

“They wouldn’t sell.”

“Then how will they pay the interest?”

“It is paid already.”

Conrad opened his eyes wide with amazement.

“Where did the money come from?”

“The boy advanced it to his father.”

“You must be joking, pa.  Where could Andy get ninety dollars?”

“He only had to supply seventy.  As to where it came from I can’t tell.  You had better ask him.”

“So I will.  It’s a shame I can’t have the boat.”

“He wants too much for it.”

“How much does he want?”

“I don’t know.  If he will let you have it for thirty dollars, you can buy it.”

“Thank you, pa.  It’s the same as mine.  A boy like Andy can’t afford to refuse thirty dollars.”