"Why not? We all know you're a snug man nowadays. You ban't bringing Ruddyford into the front rank of Dartymoor farms for nothing. You're not doing all those big things down there, and taking in land, and doubling your sheep, and buying pedigree cattle and all the rest of it, for nothing. You're putting hundreds into Woodrow's pocket; and, as a sane man, I suppose you look to it that a bit sticks in your own." "That's right enough, though it's the future rather than the present I think for." "So we all do. It's the future that's troubling me. I've got a policy of life insurance to be paid next week, and it's got to be paid. The only question is how. There's that and fifty pounds for other things, besides ten I owe my mother. So the long and short is I want a hundred, and I shall be a good bit obliged to you if you'll lend it to me for six months." Brendon did not answer immediately. Then he spoke. "If ten or even fifteen--I've done a little this year, to tell you privately. I've helped my married sister to Plymouth, whose husband is very much under the weather, and I've gived Joe Tapson a trifle too. He's left us. I had to make a change. Then there's the monument to Mr. Friend. Altogether you've asked at a very awkward moment." Jarratt sneered. "It's always an awkward moment when a man asks a fellow-man to do him a kindness. And them as talk about the decent things they do--you'll find they don't do many as a rule. Ban't a habit, else they'd not think 'em worth naming." Daniel's face hardened. "Why d'you say that? Can't you see I had to give you a reason for refusing? And don't you know me well enough to know that I'd give the true reason or none? 'Twas out of consideration for your feelings I said so much. Ban't pleasant to beg, and ban't pleasant to refuse." "I'm not begging. And you should not use the word. I'm wanting to raise a loan at proper interest--four per cent., if you like. That's not begging. That's offering anybody with any sense a good investment for money." "I shouldn't want no interest at all. I'm in your debt to the extent of losing my temper and striking you years ago, and I've not forgot it; and I'd be glad to do you a service. I've always looked out for the chance." "You needn't mention that. I remember very well. There's a white mark across the bridge of my nose, Brendon, that reminds me of what you did every time I look in the glass, and always will." "You'll forget it before I do. But I can't lend you a hundred, nor yet fifty. I'll lend you--twenty the day after to-morrow. That's the very best I can offer." "Useless. I want a hundred." "Then I'm sorry, but I can't find it."