"
Mrs. Owen drew her spectacle case from her pocket (there were pockets
and deep ones in all her gowns), wiped her glasses and put them on.
"You and Edward do seem to be having a little trouble. When I got home I
found that summons the sheriff left here. Let me see; it was away back
in '82 that I was sued the last time. Agent for a cornplanter sued me
for a machine I never ordered and it wasn't worth a farthing anyhow.
That was on my Greene County place. Just for that I had him arrested for
trespass for going on the farm to take away the machine. He paid the
costs all right, and I hope he learned better manners."
This reminiscence, recalled with evident enjoyment, was not wholly
encouraging. It seemed darkly possible that she had cited a precedent
applicable to every case where she was haled before a court. The chairs
in Mrs. Owen's office were decidedly uncomfortable; Bassett crossed and
recrossed his legs, and pressed his hand nervously to his pocket to make
sure of his check-book; for he was prepared to pay his wife's aunt for
her shares in the "Courier" newspaper to facilitate her elimination as a
co-defendant in the suit at bar.
"It was contemptible of Thatcher to drag you into this, for he knew you
took those shares merely to help me out. I'm sorry it has turned out
this way, but I'm anxious to make it right with you, and I'm ready to
buy your shares--at your own price, of course.
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