? ? ? ? The conversation lasted for some time. Then Jefferson Pettigrew rose to go.
? ? ? ? "Won't you call again, Jefferson?" asked the minister hospitably.
? ? ? ? "I shall not have time, but before I go I want to make you a small present" and he put into the hands of the astonished minister four fifty dollar bills.
? ? ? ? "Two hundred dollars!" ejaculated the minister. "Why, I heard you only brought home a few hundred."
? ? ? ? "I prefer to leave that impression. To you I will say that I am worth a great deal more than that."
? ? ? ? "But you mustn't give me so much. I am sure you are too generous for your own interest. Why, it's munificent, princely."
? ? ? ? "Don't be troubled about me. I can spare it. Send your boy to college, and next year I will send you another sum equally large."
? ? ? ? "How can I thank you, Jefferson?" said Mr. Canfield, the tears coming into his eyes. "Never in forty years have I had such a gift."
? ? ? ? "Not even from Squire Sheldon?"
? ? ? ? "The squire is not in the habit of bestowing gifts, but he pays a large parish tax.
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