human
I was afraid of it after what Pete told me, he said.
gpt
I would have helped him more if I could have managed it, but I can't let a big crop like this stand over when I've bills to meet.
human
That, declared Hall,
gpt
Has he tried any of the men who had their crops hailed out west of the creek?
human
They cleared as soon as they saw they had no harvest left. Most of them are out track-grading on the branch line, and I heard the rest went East. Mavy's surely up against it; he was figuring last evening that even if the weather held he'd be most a month behind.
gpt
Then I'm afraid he'll have to give the place up. Nevis will come down on him the day that payment's due.
human
Couldn't he raise the money somehow, for a month?
gpt
It's scarcely likely. I can't lend him any, with wheat at present figure, and Hunter, who has already guaranteed him a thousand dollars, is very tightly fixed. Besides Mavy couldn't expect anything more from him. It wouldn't be much use going to a bank, either. With the bottom dropping out of the market they're getting scared of wheat, and he has nothing to offer them but a crop that isn't reaped, with Grantly's note calling for most of it.
human
Then I guess he has just got to quit. Hunter would no doubt have lent him a binder and a couple of hired men, but he has them busy trying to straighten up his hailed crop and cut patches of it.
gpt
It's a pity, Farquhar assented in a regretful voice.
human
It will hurt Mavy to give the place up.