Ernest worked hard in his spare moments to keep it looking as well as in his father 's lifetime , for he loved his little home dearly , and was proud of its beauty . He ran gaily into the sitting-room . `` Tea ready , lady mother ? I 'm hungry as a wolf . Good news gives one an appetite . Mr. White has raised my salary a couple of dollars per week . We must celebrate the event somehow this evening . What do you say to a sail on the river and an ice cream at Taylor 's afterwards ? When a little woman ca n't outlive her schoolgirl hankering for ice cream -- why , Mother , what 's the matter ? Mother , dear ! '' Mrs. Duncan had been standing before the window with her back to the room when Ernest entered . When she turned he saw that she had been crying . `` Oh , Ernest , '' she said brokenly , `` Jacob Patterson has just been here -- and he says -- he says -- '' `` What has that old miser been saying to trouble you ? '' demanded Ernest angrily , taking her hands in his . `` He says he holds your father 's promissory note for nine hundred dollars , overdue for several years , '' answered Mrs. Duncan . `` Yes -- and he showed me the note , Ernest . '' `` Father 's promissory note for nine hundred ! '' exclaimed Ernest in bewilderment . `` But Father paid that note to James Patterson five years ago , Mother -- just before his accident . Did n't you tell me he did ? ''
`` Yes , he did , '' said Mrs. XXXXX , `` but -- '' `` Then where is it ? ''
Duncan Ernest Mother Patterson accident evening miser sitting-room week years