“I came to see you about gettin’ some money.  I need some money just now and—­”

Solomon interrupted her.

“Humph!” he grunted.  “I cal’lated as much.”

“You cal’lated it!  For the land sakes—­why?”

“Because you begun by sayin’ you was a relation of mine.  I’ve got a good many relations floatin’ around loose and there ain’t nary one of ’em ever come to see me unless ’twas to get money.  If I give money to all my relations that asked for it I’d be a dum sight poorer’n I be now.”

Thankful was by this time thoroughly angry.

“Look here,” she snapped.  “If I’d come to you expectin’ you to give me any money I’d be an idiot as well as a relation.  Far’s that last part goes I ain’t any prouder of it than you are.”

This pointed remark had no more effect than the statement of relationship.  Mr. Cobb was quite unruffled.

“You came to see me,” he said, “and you ain’t come afore for twenty year—­you said so.  Now, when you do come, you want money, you said that, too.”

“Well, what of it?”

“Nothin’ of it, ’special.  Only when a party comes to me and commences by sayin’ he or she’s a relation I know what’s comin’ next.  Relations!  Humph!  My relations never done much for me.”

Thankful’s fingers twitched. “‘Cordin’ to all accounts you never done much for them, either,” she declared.  “You don’t even ask ’em to sit down.  Well, you needn’t worry so far’s I’m concerned.  Good-by.”

She was on her way out of the office, but he called her back.

“Hi, hold on!” he called.  “You ain’t told me what that business was yet.  Come back!  You—­you can set down, if you want to.”

Thankful hesitated.  She was strongly tempted to go and never return.  And yet, if she did, she must go elsewhere to obtain the mortgage she wished.  And to whom should she go?  Reluctantly she retraced her steps.

“Set down,” said Mr. Cobb, pulling forward a chair.  “Now what is it you want?”

Mrs. Barnes sat down.  “I’ll tell you what I don’t want,” she said with emphasis.  “I don’t want you to give me any money or to lend me any, either—­without it’s bein’ a plain business deal.  I ain’t askin’ charity of you or anybody else, Solomon Cobb.  And you’d better understand that if you and I are goin’ to talk any more.”

Mr. Cobb tugged at his whiskers.

“You’ve got a temper, ain’t you,” he declared.  “Temper’s a good thing to play with, maybe, if you can afford it.  I ain’t rich enough, myself.  I’ve saved a good many dollars by keepin’ mine.  If you don’t want me to give you nor lend you money, what do you want?”

“I want you to take a mortgage on some property I own.  You do take mortgages, don’t you?”

More whisker pulling.  Solomon nodded.

“I do sometimes,” he admitted; “when I cal’late they’re safe to take.  Where is this property of yours?”

“Over in East Wellmouth.  It’s the old Abner Barnes place.  Cap’n Abner willed it to me.  He was my uncle.”