100 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



account. Whatever is over will then be used to 

 reduce the principal." 



" That's a long speech, but I don't think it's very 

 clear. I don't see why a man should pay inter- 

 est on his own money. The farm is yours, isn't 

 it ? You bought it with your own money, didn't 

 you ? What difference does it make whether 

 you charge interest or not ? " 



" Not the least difference in the world to us, 

 Polly, but a great deal to the experiment." 



" Oh, yes, I forgot the experiment. And how 

 much interest do you add ? " 



" Five hundred and forty-two dollars. Also, 

 $75 to the lawyer and $5 for recording the deed, 

 making the whole debt of the farm to me 

 844,000 even." 



" Does it come out just even $44,000 ? I be- 

 lieve you've manipulated the figures." 



" Not on your life ! Add them yourself. 

 They were put down at all sorts of times during 

 the past five months. My dear, I wish you a 

 good-night and a happy New Year. You have 

 given me a very happy ending for the old one." 



