"Madam," said Squire Haynes, now thoroughly enraged, "you are a woman, and can say what you please; but as for this young rascal, I'll beat him within an inch of his life if I ever catch him out of your presence."

"He is under the protection of the laws," said Mrs. Frost composedly, "which you, being a lawyer, ought to understand."

"I'll have no mercy on you. I'll sell you up root and branch," said Squire Haynes, trembling with passion, and smiting the floor with his cane.

"At all events the house is ours to-day," returned Mrs. Frost, with dignity, "and I must request you to leave us in quiet possession of it."

The squire left the house in undignified haste, muttering threats as he went.

"Good, mother!" exclaimed Frank admiringly. "You turned him out capitally. But," he added, an expression of dismay stealing over his face, "what shall we do?"

"We must try to obtain a loan," said Mrs. Frost, "I will go and see Mr. Sanger, while you go to Mr. Perry. Possibly they may help us. There is no time to be lost."

An hour afterward Frank and his mother returned, both disappointed. Mr. Sanger and Mr. Perry both had the will to help but not the ability. There seemed no hope left save in Mr. Morton. At six o'clock the stage rolled up to the gate.