The old Squire, grandmother, and
the girls were looking at Addison in much concern.
"Haven't you been rather rash?" the old Squire said, gravely.
"Maybe I have," Addison admitted. "But the bank has promised to lend me
the money to-morrow at seven per cent. if--if,"--he hesitated and
reddened visibly,--"if you will put your name on the note with me, sir."
The old Squire's face was a study. He looked surprised, grave, and
stern; but his kind old heart stood the test.
"My son," he said, after a short pause, "what led you into this? You
must tell me before we go farther."
"It was something I noticed over there in that wood-lot. I haven't said
anything about it so far; but I think I am right."
He went upstairs to his trunk and brought down a handful of those auger
chips, and also a letter that he had received recently. He spread the
chips on the table by the old Squire's plate, and the latter, after a
glance at them, put on his reading glasses. Dry as the chips had become,
we could still see what looked like tiny bubbles and pits in the wood.
"Bird's-eye, isn't it?" the old Squire said, taking up a chip in his
fingers. "Bird's-eye maple.
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