CHAPTER XXV. WHITEFACE.

 Mark Nelson missed sorely the cow which he had been compelled to yield to the squire¹ on account of default of interest. Whiteface was his best cow, and a great favorite with all the children. She gave nearly as much milk as the other two, and had been one of the main dependences of the family. It was worth considerably² more than the thirty dollars for which the squire took it; but he insisted upon that and no other, and Whiteface had to go.

 

Six months had passed, and there seemed to be very little chance of redeeming³ the lost cow. Squire Hudson had agreed to give her back on payment of the balance due, with accrued⁴ interest; but neither he nor Mark Nelson expected that such an offer would be made.

 

"I was passing Squire Hudson's to-day, and saw[Pg 235] poor Whiteface," said Walter, one evening. "I think she knew me, for when I called her she lowed back."

 

"I wish we had her back," said Sarah. "It was heartless in the squire to take her. He had a dozen cows of his own."

 

"He hasn't any heart," said Walter, "or, if he has, it must be pretty small."

 

"We must not forget that he was entitled to some security for the balance of interest I owe him," said the farmer.

 

"The cow was worth a good deal more than thirty dollars," said Sarah.

 

"Yes, she was; but I am not sure whether I could have got any more money for her at a forced sale. Then you know the squire is pledged to give her back whenever I can pay him the thirty dollars, with interest."

 

"I wish you could pay it now, father," said Walter.

 

"So do I, my boy; but I cannot, unless your brother sends me some money."

 

"It is three weeks since we have heard from[Pg 236] Tom," said Mrs. Nelson, anxiously. "I am afraid he is sick."

 

"Don't worry yourself with imaginary fears, Mary," said her husband. "Tom may be sick, of course; but he is strong and healthy, and we won't fear such a thing without some ground. Probably a letter is on the way from him now."

 

"I hope he is making money," said Walter. "I wish I were with him."

 

"I would never consent to have you go too," said Mrs. Nelson, hastily.

 

"I don't think Walter seriously thinks of asking leave," said Mr. Nelson, smiling. "As he is only thirteen years old, I should be inclined to object myself. I must have him at home to help me with the farm."

 

"I should be perfectly⁵ contented⁶ to stay at home if we had Whiteface back," said Walter. "I've a great mind to steal her out of the squire's yard. I bet she'd be glad to come."

 

"Don't speak in that way, Walter," said his father. "I dislike to have you speak of stealing, even in fun."[Pg 237]

 

At this moment there was a knock at the front door. Farmer Nelson's house was an old-fashioned one, and not provided with a bell.

 

"Go to the door, Sarah," said her father.

 

Sarah obeyed.

 

"Good-evening, Nahum," she said to the village expressman.

 

"I've got a small package for your folks," said Nahum. "It's marked all over. Guess it came from Californy."

 

"It must be from Tom," exclaimed Sarah, in delight.

 

"That's what I thought," said the expressman, who knew everybody in the village, and could probably give a fairly correct list of their sisters, cousins, and aunts, with a fair guess at their worldly circumstances.

 

"Is there anything to pay, Nahum?"

 

"Only fifty cents,—the expressage from Boston. Never mind about it now, for I'm in a hurry. Your father can hand it to me next time he sees me."

 

"O father, here's a package from Tom," said[Pg 238] Sarah, hurrying into the room where they were all sitting.

 

"Open it quick," said Walter. "See if there's any money in it."

 

The cord was cut, and a small box was disclosed containing a hundred dollars in gold pieces and a line from Tom, stating that he was doing well, and that he hoped soon to send some more money.

 

"A hundred dollars! What a lot of money!" exclaimed Walter, gazing on the little pile of coins as if fascinated.

 

"I am so glad the dear boy is doing well," said Mrs. Nelson.

 

"Now we can have Whiteface back, can't we, father?" asked Walter, joyfully⁷.

 

"Yes, Walter," said Mark Nelson, almost as excited as his son. "I will go over the first thing in the morning."

 

"Can't we go over this evening?" asked Walter, impatiently.

 

"No, it is dark, and Whiteface is stalled for the night."[Pg 239]

 

"You'll have seventy dollars left over, father, won't you?"

 

"Yes; and that will provide for my next interest. I feel grateful and happy at Tom's success and his thoughtfulness."

 

Could Tom have seen the effect of his remittance⁸ it would have made his heart glad, and he would have felt abundantly repaid for his labor⁹ and self-denial.

1 squire   

n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅

参考例句：

• I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
• The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。

2 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

3 redeeming   

补偿的，弥补的

参考例句：

• I found him thoroughly unpleasant, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. 我觉得他一点也不讨人喜欢，没有任何可取之处。
• The sole redeeming feature of this job is the salary. 这份工作唯其薪水尚可弥补一切之不足。

4 accrued   

adj.权责已发生的v.增加( accrue的过去式和过去分词 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累

参考例句：

• The company had accrued debts of over 1000 yuan. 该公司已积欠了1000多万元的债务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I have accrued a set of commemoration stamps. 我已收集一套纪念邮票。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

6 contented   

adj.满意的，安心的，知足的

参考例句：

• He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。
• The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。

7 joyfully   

adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着，脚底下轻飘飘的。
• During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里，她干得很高兴。

8 remittance   

n.汇款，寄款，汇兑

参考例句：

• Your last month's salary will be paid by remittance.最后一个月的薪水将通过汇寄的方式付给你。
• A prompt remittance would be appreciated.速寄汇款不胜感激。

9 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。