Bobbsey, can't get past with his
houseboat."
"Yes, I have," growled the farmer, "and that fence is going to stay
up, too! I'll show him he can't come around here, interferin' with me
when I try to punish my help. He made Will run away too."
"No, I did not. I know nothing of him," said Mr. Bobbsey.
"Mr. Hardee," went on Mr. Murphy. "I want you to take down that fence,
and let the houseboat go on up the creek."
"And I'm not going to!"
"Very well, then," said Mr. Murphy, quietly, "perhaps you are ready to
pay me the interest on my mortgage which has been due me for some
time, Mr. Hardee."
The farmer seemed uneasy.
"Well, to tell you the truth," he said, "I haven't got that money just
now, Mr. Murphy. Times have been hard, and crops are poor, and I'm
short of cash. Can't you wait a while?"
"I have waited some time."
"Well, I'd like to have you wait a little longer. I'll pay you after a
while."
"And I suppose you'll take down that wire fence, and let Mr. Bobbsey
and the twins go past--after a while?"
"Well--maybe," growled the mean farmer.
"Maybe won't do!" exclaimed Mr. Murphy. "I want you to take the wire
fence down RIGHT AWAY."
"Well, I'm not going to do it. He interfered with me, and made that
boy run away, and I'm not going to let him go up my part of the
creek.
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