He is a big landowner now
and a senator and a millionaire. So save thy pity for someone that needs
it. As I was saying, he offered to sell his mill to thy father and thy
father snapped at the offer, and it was settled there and then as they
stood in Woodleigh meadows."
"What did father pay for it?" asked Harry.
"Nay, my dear, I cannot tell thee. Thy father never told his women folk
what he made or what he spent. It wasn't likely. But it was a fair
bargain, no doubt, for when they had settled it, Ezra said, 'Good-bye,
Stephen! I shall not see thee again in this world!' and he pulled out
his watch and father took out his and they changed watches for the
memory of each other. Then they clasped hands and said farewell. But
they wrote to each other at every New Year, and when thy father died
Ezra's watch was sent back to him. Then Ezra knew his friend had no
longer any need to count time. He had gone into Eternity."
"It was a good custom, mother," said John. "It is a pity such customs
are dying out.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118