Yet this was precisely what the squire had done.

Mr. Barclay, who had prospered beyond his wife's knowledge, found
himself seven years before in possession of a thousand dollars in hard
cash. Knowing that the squire had a better knowledge of suitable
investments than he, he went to him one day and asked advice. Now,
the squire was fond of money. When he saw the ample roll of bank
notes which his neighbor took from his wallet, he felt a desire to
possess them. They would not be his, to be sure, but merely to have
them under his control seemed pleasant. So he said:

"Friend Barclay, I should need time to consider that question. Are
you in a hurry?"

"I should like to get the money out of my possession. I might lose it
or have it stolen. Besides, I don't want my wife to discover that I
have it."

"It might make her extravagant, perhaps," suggested the squire.

"No, I am not afraid of that; but I want some day to surprise her by
letting her see that I am a richer man than she thinks."

"Very judicious! Then no one knows that you have the money?"

"No one; I keep my business to myself."

"You are a wise man. I'll tell you what I will do, friend Barclay.
While I am not prepared to recommend any particular investment, I will