“The hoss died on me,” said Harvey. “What's that to me?” asked Susan. “I never heard that Moses Shuder ever stopped junking because he did n't have a horse. I never heard that I gave up keeping boarding-house because my cooks packed off without a fare-you-well. Horse, indeed! Harvey Redding, you promised me, when I pushed you for payment when you gave up the grocery business--” “I know, Susan, I know!” “And _I_ know!” she declared. “I know what likelihood I've got to get my money back if you give up the only chance you've got to earn money.” “Of course, I'm mighty sorry,” Harvey began. “What do I care for your sorry?” she snapped. “I don't want your sorry; I want my money.” “Well, I ain't got it, Susan,” Harvey said. “I ain't got nothin'. I ain't no good at business. I ain't cut out for it, an' that's a fact. But I got somethin' else in mind.” “I doubt it.” “I got an idee,” said Harvey, refusing to be angered, “that if I don't have a business to pull me down all the time, I can save money out of what I get every month an' pay you back that way. I might save ten dollars a month to pay you back, or fifteen, maybe. It's so dod--it's so expensive runnin' a business I just can't save nothin'. With this here Moses Shuder into it, an' hosses dyin' on me, an' everything--” Miss Redding turned back to her cookies to show that she considered them far more important than anything Harvey might say. “I dare say!” she said sarcastically. “So that's what I come up here to offer you, Susan,” Harvey said. “I 'll save an' pay. You can count on it.” “Oh! I can, can I?” “I can't do more than give you my word.” “You gave me your note, I remember. I guess your word ain't no better. You gave me your word you'd stay in business, as near as I can recall. I don't take much stock in your word.” Harvey was worried now. “Susan,” he said, “I don't like you should take this here attitude. I'll say to you I've turned over a new leaf. I 'll say to you I've got my bear-in's at last. I know what I was born to be. Business is no good for me. I know what I was intended for now, but if you're goin' to harass me day by day about that money--” “You bet I'm going to harass you!” said Susan unfeelingly. “If I don't I won't get back a cent, let alone interest. I'll harass! Make sure of that.” “If there was any security I could give,” said Harvey. “With your lot all mortgaged up? A nice lot of security you could give!” She turned to him again. “I know you, Harvey. There ain't a bit of anything in you but laziness. Not a mite. You'll promise whatever comes into your head and the next minute you 'll go right back on your word and oath and written note.” “Susan, I'll pay you back regular, every month, out of my twenty-five dollars, every cent I can scrape off--” “I don't believe it!” Harvey looked around helplessly.