He died last winter and Jacob is his sole heir . Ernest , that note with the compound interest on it for seven years amounts to over eleven hundred dollars . How can we pay it ? '' `` I 'm afraid that this is a very serious business , Mother , '' said Ernest , rising and pacing the floor with agitated strides . `` 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 XXXXX hard work , but I dare not borrow money with so little prospect of ever being able to repay it .
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