? ? ? ? "I apprehend that he will not have to be consulted," said the squire with a crafty smile.
? ? ? ? "Why not?"
? ? ? ? "Because I hold a mortgage on the farm which I propose to foreclose this afternoon."
? ? ? ? "I see. So that you will be considerably benefited by the road."
? ? ? ? "Yes, to a moderate extent."
? ? ? ? "But if a different course should be selected, how then?"
? ? ? ? "If the road goes through the farm I would be willing to give a quarter of the damages awarded to me to--you understand?"
? ? ? ? "I think I do. After all it seems the most natural route."
? ? ? ? "I think there can be no doubt on that point. Of course the corporation will be willing to pay a reasonable sum for land taken."
? ? ? ? "I think I can promise that, as I shall have an important voice in the matter."
? ? ? ? "I see you are a thorough business man," said the squire. "I hold that it is always best to pursue a liberal policy."
? ? ? ? "Quite so. You have no doubt of obtaining the farm?"
? ? ? ? "Not the slightest.
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