"No. I presume she was too busy. But, Roscoe, it is plain enough why
Captain Dean spoke to you about the Lane at the office this morning. He
must have heard, somehow, that Mr. Colton wished to buy it."

"Yes. Or, if he didn't hear just that, he heard enough to make him guess
the rest. He is pretty shrewd."

"You promised him you wouldn't sell without telling him beforehand.
Shall you tell him of Mr. Colton's offer?"

"If he asks me, I shall, I suppose."

"I wonder what he will do then. Do you suppose he will try to persuade
the Selectmen to buy the Lane for the town?"

"I don't know. I shouldn't wonder."

"It will be harder to refuse the town's offer."

"Yes. Although the town can't afford to pay Colton's prices. I believe
that man would have raised his bid to a thousand, if I had let him. As a
matter of business and nothing else, I suppose I am foolish not to push
the price as high as possible and then sell. The land is worthless to
us."

"I know. But this isn't just a matter of business, is it? And we DON'T
need the money. We're not rich, but we aren't poor, are we, Boy."

"No. No, of course not. But, Mother, just see what I could do--for