much time, but I want to be sure. And if at the end of two months we
have paid half of it, will you give us credit for another small bill of
goods for the summer season, so that we may be stocked and ready? The
summer is our best season, you see," she added.

Mr. Green nodded. Her businesslike manner he found amusing, although he
by no means shared her confidence in the future.

"We shall be very glad to extend the time," he said. "You may remember
I told you the other evening that so far as our house was concerned,
we should probably be willing to sell your uncles indefinitely, for old
times' sake."

His visitor frowned.

"We are not asking it for old times' sake," she said. "It is the new
times I am interested in. And please understand this isn't sentiment but
business. If you do not believe what I ask to be a safe business risk,
that one your firm would be justified in accepting from anybody, then
you mustn't do it."

Mr. Green hesitated. "Suppose I do not accept that risk," he said; "what
then?"

"Then I shall go and see some other creditors, the principal ones, and
make them similar propositions."

"And suppose they don't accept?"

"I think they will, most of them. If they don't--well, then there