This does n't prove that the note Jacob Patterson found was n't a genuine note also , you know -- that is , I do n't think it would serve as proof in law . We 'll have to leave it to his sense of justice . If he refuses to refund the money I 'm afraid we ca n't compel him to do so . '' But Jacob Patterson did not any longer refuse belief to Mrs. Patterson 's story of the blotted note . He was a harsh , miserly man , but he prided himself on his strict honesty ; he had been fairly well acquainted with his brother 's business transactions , and knew that George Duncan had given only one promissory note . `` I 'll admit , ma'am , since the receipted note has turned up , that your story about the blotted one must be true , '' he said surlily . `` I 'll pay your money back . Nobody can ever say Jacob Patterson cheated . I took what I believed to be my due . Since I 'm convinced it was n't I 'll hand every penny over . Though , mind you , you could n't make me do it by law . It 's my honesty , ma'am , it 's my honesty . '' Since Jacob Patterson was so well satisfied with the fibre of his honesty , neither Mrs. Duncan nor Ernest was disposed to quarrel with it . Mr. White readily agreed to sell the old Duncan place back to them , and by spring they were settled again in their beloved little home . Danny and Frank were with them , of course . `` We ca n't be too good to them , Mother , '' said Ernest . `` We really owe all our happiness to them . '' `` Yes , but , Ernest , if you had not consented to take the homeless little lads in their time of need this would n't have come about . '' `` I 've been well rewarded , Mother , '' said Ernest quietly , `` but , even if nothing of the sort had happened , I would be glad that I did the best I could for Frank and Danny . I 'm ashamed to think that I was unwilling to do it at first .
XXXXX it had n't been for what you said , I would n't have .
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