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CHAPTER XIX. A MODERN SHYLOCK.
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"I believe your interest falls due to-day, Mr. Nelson," said the squire1, when he found himself alone with his debtor2.
"Yes," answered the farmer, slowly. It was not very likely to slip his mind.
"I suppose you have the money ready," continued the squire, who supposed no such thing.
"I have a part of it ready," said Mark Nelson, with an effort.
"Yes; I can give you thirty-six dollars to-day."
"Only thirty-six dollars! The amount due is sixty-six."
"I know it, Squire Hudson; but this has been a bad year for the farmers, as you probably know. Owing to the drought, my crops fell off at least one quarter."[Pg 178]
"I can't help that," said the squire, coldly.
"If you will be a little patient," said Mr. Nelson, uneasily.
"Neighbor Nelson," said his creditor, interrupting him, "I wish to ask you one question. When I lent you money on mortgage was there a stipulation4 that if there was a drought I was to wait for my just interest?"
"No, Squire Hudson."
"To be sure not; I would not of course lend you money on any such terms. It was understood that my interest was to be paid semi-annually,—was it not so?"
"Yes, but—"
"Wait a moment. You must certainly agree that I am entitled to prompt payment. A bargain is a bargain."
"I don't dispute it, Squire Hudson, and I have tried to be ready for you; but in spite of all my efforts I am thirty dollars short."
"Do you expect me to be content with this explanation?"
"I think you are rather hard on me, squire.[Pg 179] It isn't as if I had the money and objected to pay. I am a poor man, but no one ever lost a dollar by me; and I don't mean that any one shall, while I have my life and strength."
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1
squire
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n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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2
debtor
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n.借方,债务人 | |
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3
creditor
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n.债仅人,债主,贷方 | |
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4
stipulation
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n.契约,规定,条文;条款说明 | |
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5
delinquent
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adj.犯法的,有过失的;n.违法者 | |
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6
defer
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vt.推迟,拖延;vi.(to)遵从,听从,服从 | |
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7
pretext
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n.借口,托词 | |
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8
prospect
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n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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9
remit
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v.汇款,汇寄;豁免(债务),免除(处罚等) | |
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10
conscientious
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adj.审慎正直的,认真的,本着良心的 | |
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11
sneer
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v.轻蔑;嘲笑;n.嘲笑,讥讽的言语 | |
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12
nettled
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v.拿荨麻打,拿荨麻刺(nettle的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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13
haughtily
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adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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14
persistently
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ad.坚持地;固执地 | |
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15
solely
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adv.仅仅,唯一地 | |
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16
severely
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adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地 | |
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17
deferred
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adj.延期的,缓召的v.拖延,延缓,推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 );服从某人的意愿,遵从 | |
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18
redeem
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v.买回,赎回,挽回,恢复,履行(诺言等) | |
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19
exaction
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n.强求,强征;杂税 | |
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20
temperament
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n.气质,性格,性情 | |
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22
calf
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n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮 | |
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