Miss Smith was invited politely into the private parlor. She explained her business. The President was there and Colonel Cresswell and one other local director.
‚ÄúI have come for a mortgage. Our land is, as you know, gentlemen, worth at least ten thousand dollars; the buildings cost fifteen thousand dollars; our property is, therefore, conservatively valued at twenty-five thousand dollars. Now I want to mortgage it for‚Äù‚ÅÝ‚Äîshe hesitated‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äúfive thousand dollars.‚Äù
Colonel Cresswell was silent, but the president said:
“Money is rather scarce just now, Miss Smith; but it happens that I have ten thousand dollars on hand, which we prefer, however, to loan in one lump sum. Now, if the security were ample, I think perhaps you might get this ten thousand dollars.”
Miss Smith grew white; it was the sum she wanted. She tried to escape the temptation, yet the larger amount was more than twice as desirable to her as the smaller, and she knew that they knew it. They were trying to tempt her; they wanted as firm a hold on the school property as possible. And yet, why should she hesitate? It was a risk, but the returns would be enormous‚ÅÝ‚Äîshe must do it. Besides, there was the endowment; it was certain; yes‚ÅÝ‚Äîshe felt forced to close the bargain.
‚ÄúVery well,‚Äù she declared her decision, and they handed her the preliminary papers. She took the pen and glanced at Mr. ¬ÝCresswell; he was smiling slightly, but nevertheless she signed her name grimly, in a large round hand, ‚ÄúSarah Smith.‚Äù