I remember that book of old -- I could never forget that gorgeous cover . Mr. Sinclair lent it to your father once , and he said it was absolute trash . Why , Ernest , what 's the matter ? '' Ernest had been turning the book 's leaves over carelessly . Suddenly he sprang to his feet with an exclamation , his face turning white as marble . `` Mother ! '' he gasped , holding out a yellowed slip of paper . `` Look ! It 's the lost promissory note . '' Mother and son looked at each other for a moment . Then Mrs. Duncan began to laugh and cry together . `` Your father took that book with him when he went to pay the note , '' she said . `` He intended to return it to Mr. Sinclair . I remember seeing the gleam of the red binding in his hand as he went out of the gate . He must have slipped the note into it and I suppose the book has never been opened since . Oh , Ernest -- do you think -- will Jacob Patterson -- '' `` I do n't know , Mother . I must see Mr. White about this . Do n't be too sanguine . 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 XXXXX do so . ''
about at for into of over since that to with