"Of course you shall have it," he said, warmly. "Only you will not be
angry with me if I insist on the increased rent. You know, cousin, I
have a father, too, and I must be just to him."
"To be sure, you must, dear," said Mary, incautiously; and the word
penetrated Walter's heart as if a woman of twenty-five had said it all of
a sudden and for the first time.
When they got home, Mary told Mr. Bartley he was to have the farm if he
would pay the increased rent.
"That is all right," said Bartley. "Then to-morrow we can go home."
"So soon!" said Mary, sorrowfully.
"Yes," said Bartley, firmly; "the rest had better be done in writing.
Why, Mary, what is the use of staying on now? We are going to live here
in a month or two."
"I forgot that," said Mary, with a little sigh. It seemed so ungracious
to get what they wanted, and then turn their backs directly. She hinted
as much, very timidly.
But Bartley was inexorable, and they reached home next day.
Mary would have liked to write to Walter, and announce their safe
arrival, but nature withheld her.
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