`` We shall have to pay the note if we can not find the other -- and even if we could , perhaps . Your story of the drawing up of the second note would not be worth anything as evidence in a court of law -- and we have nothing to hope from Jacob Patterson 's clemency . No doubt he believes that he really holds Father 's unpaid note . He is not a dishonest man ; in fact , he rather prides himself on having made all his money honestly . He will exact every penny of the debt . The first thing to do is to have another thorough search for the lost note -- although I am afraid that it is a forlorn hope . '' A forlorn hope it proved to be . The note did not turn up . Old Jacob Patterson proved obdurate . He laughed to scorn the tale of the blotted note and , indeed , Ernest sadly admitted to himself that it was not a story anybody would be in a hurry to believe . `` There 's nothing for it but to sell our house and pay the debt , Mother , '' he said at last . Ernest had grown old in the days that had followed Jacob Patterson 's demand . His boyish face was pale and haggard . `` Jacob Patterson will take the case into the law courts if we do n't settle at once . Mr. White offered to lend me the money on a mortgage on the place , but I could never pay the interest out of my salary when we have nothing else to live on . I would only get further and further behind . I 'm not afraid of hard work , but I dare not borrow money with so little prospect of ever being able to repay it . We must sell the place and rent that little four-roomed cottage of Mr. Percy 's down by the river to live in . Oh , Mother , it half kills me to think of your being turned out of your home like this ! '' It was a bitter thing for Mrs. Duncan also , but for Ernest 's sake she concealed her feelings and affected cheerfulness .
The house and lot were sold , Mr. White being the purchaser thereof ; and Ernest and his mother removed to the little riverside cottage with such XXXXX their household belongings as had not also to be sold to make up the required sum .
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