"An' there
ain't a cent ter get any new ones, Hester," he exclaimed, ruefully eying
the ominously thin place in the sole.
"I know, Jeremiah, but there's William," murmured Hester. "I'm sure he--"
"Oh, of course, he'd give it to me," cried Jeremiah quickly; "but--I--I
sort of hate to ask."
"Pooh! I wouldn't think of that," declared Hester stoutly, but even as
she spoke, she tucked her own feet farther under her chair. "We gave
them the farm, and they understood they was to take care of us, of
course."
"Hm-m, yes, I know, I know. I'll ask him," murmured Jeremiah--but he did
not ask him until the ominously thin place in the sole had become a
hole, large, round, and unmistakable.
"Well, William," he began jocosely, trying to steady his shaking voice,
"guess them won't stand for it much longer!" And he held up the shoe,
sole uppermost.
"Well, I should say not!" laughed William; then his face changed. "Oh,
and you'll have to have the money for some new ones, of course. By
George! It does beat all how I keep forgetting about that bank!"
"I know, William, I'm sorry," stammered the old man miserably.
"Oh, I can let you have it all right, father, and glad to," assured
William, still frowning. "It's only that just at this time I'm a little
short, and--" He stopped abruptly and thrust his hands into his pockets.
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