“I got yore summons, Mr. Mayhew,” she said, in a thin, shaky voice. “Peter, my husband, was so down-hearted that he wouldn't come to town, an' so I had to do it. So you are goin' to foreclose on us? The mule an' cow is all on earth we've got to make the crop on, and when they are gone we will be plumb ruined.” The face of the old merchant was like carved stone. “You got the goods, didn't you, Mrs. Stark?” he asked, harshly. “Oh yes, we hain't disputin' the account,” she answered, plaintively. “And you agreed faithfully if you didn't pay this spring that the mule and cow would be our property?” “Oh yes, of course. As I say, Mr. Mayhew, I'm not blamin' you-uns. Thar hain't a thing for me an' Peter to do but thrust ourselves on my daughter and son-in-law over in Fannin', but I'd rather die than go. We won't be welcome; they are loaded down with childern too young to work. So it's settled, Mr. Mayhew--I mean, ef we drive over the mule an' cow, thar won't be no lawsuit?” “No, there won't be any suit. I'd let this pass and give you more time, Mrs. Stark, but a thing like that can't be kept quiet through the country, an' there are fifty customers of ours over your way who'd be runnin' here with some cock-and-bull story, and we'd be left high and dry, with goods to pay for in market and nothing to show for it. We make our rules, Mrs. Stark, and they are clearly understood at the time the papers are signed.” “Never you mind, Mrs. Stark, I'll fix that all right.” It was Nelson Floyd who was speaking, and with a face full of pity and tenderness he had stepped forward and was offering to shake hands. The little woman, her lips twitching and drawn, gave him her hand, her eyes wide open in groping wonder. “I don't understand, Nelson--Mr. Floyd--you mean--” “I mean that I'll have your entire account charged to me and you can take your time about paying it--next fall, or the next, or any time it suits you. I'll not press you fer it, if you never pay it. I passed your place the other day and your crop looks very promising. You are sure to get out of debt this coming fall.” “Oh, Nelson--I--I don't know what to do about it. You see Mr. Mayhew says--” “But I say it's all right,” Floyd broke in, as he laid his hand softly on her shoulder. “Go down in front and buy what you need to run on. I'll assume the risk, if there is any.” Mayhew turned suddenly; his face wore a fierce frown and his thick lip shook. “Do you mean to say, Nelson, that you are going to step in and--” “Step in nothing!” Floyd said, calmly. “I hope I won't have to remind you, sir, of our clearly written agreement of partnership, in which it is plainly stated that I may use my judgment in regard to customers whenever I wish.” “You'll ruin us--you'll break us all to smash, if you do this sort of thing,” Mayhew panted. “It will upset our whole system.”