Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/61

Rh "Yes, but everybody wouldn't think to act so quickly. The hired man went for a pail of water, didn't he?"

"Yes."

"And Jessie might have burnt up while he was getting it. I reckon you deserve what you are receiving, Dave," concluded Ben.

The next week was a busy one for Dave, who worked on the farm from sunrise to sunset, getting everything in proper shape for another tenant. In the meantime Caspar Potts packed up his few belongings and had them transferred to the Wadsworth residence. Later on a farmer was found to take the farm, at a yearly rental which was satisfactory to all concerned.

Having been referred to Mr. Wadsworth, Aaron Poole called on the manufacturer for his interest money, and the upshot of the visit was that Oliver Wadsworth took over the mortgage on the farm.

"You won't make anything on that deal, Wadsworth," said Aaron Poole, after the transaction had come to an end.

"I do not expect to make anything," was the quiet answer. "But I fancy Professor Potts will make something, later on."

"Maybe he will and maybe he won't," was Aaron Poole's tart reply, and then, as there was nothing more to say, he withdrew.