"Well, then, he was an angel," said Wolverton, sulkily; "but he's dead, and you will need to look to another protector."
"My son will protect me," said Mrs. Burton, proudly.
"That boy?" said Wolverton, contemptuously. "But I make allowance for a mother's feelings. Once more, Mary, I make you the offer. Remember that I am a rich man, and can surround you with luxuries."
"I would rather live in a log house on a crust, than to marry you, Mr. Wolverton," she said, impetuously. "If you were the only man in the world, I would go unmarried to my grave rather than wed you!"
"You are tolerably explicit, madam," he said. "I can't charge you with beating round the bush. But let me tell you, ma'am, that you have done the unwisest act of your life in making me your enemy."
"I did not mean to make you an enemy," said Mrs. Burton, softening. "I suppose I ought to acknowledge the compliment you have paid me, but I must decline, once for all, and request you never again to mention the subject."
Aaron Wolverton was not so easily appeased.
"I do not care to stay any longer," he said. "You had better mention to your son about the interest."
Mrs. Burton had an opportunity to do this almost immediately, for Bob and Clip entered the house just as Wolverton was leaving it.
"What have you done to Mr. Wolverton, mother?" asked Bob. "He looked savage enough to bite my head off, and wouldn't even speak to me."
"Robert, I have some bad news to tell you. Mr. Wolverton tells me that your father didn't pay him the interest on the day of his death."
"I believe he tells a falsehood," said Bob, quickly.
"But he says, with some show of reason, if the interest was paid, why didn't your father take a receipt?"
"No; I searched your father's wallet in vain."
"It's a piece of paper with writing on it, Clip," said the widow, adjusting her explanations to Clip's intelligence.
"Golly! I saw de old man take a piece of paper from Massa Burton's pocket after he was dead--when he was a-lyin' on the ground."
"Say that again, Clip," said Bob, eagerly.
Clip repeated it, and answered several questions put to him by Mrs. Burton and Bob.
"It's all clear, mother," said Bob. "That old rascal has got up a scheme to rob you. He thinks there isn't any proof of the payment. If he suspected that Clip had been a witness of his robbery he would have been more careful."