I believe it must have been
because my grandfather, Michael Joseph I, had an idea that, since his
son was a gentleman, he ought to have a college degree and the right to
follow some genteel profession in case of disaster."
"Your father evidently kept abreast of the law," Parker laughed.
"Before entering suit for foreclosure, I notified him by registered
mail that the mortgage would not be renewed and made formal demand upon
him for payment in full. When he received the notice from the El Toro
postmaster to call for that registered letter, he must have suspected
its contents, for he immediately deeded the ranch to you and then
called for the registered letter."
Farrel began to chuckle.
"Good old dad!" he cried. "Put over a dirty Irish trick on you to gain
time!"
"He did. I do not blame him for it. I would have done the same thing
myself under the same circumstances." And Parker had the grace to join
in the laugh. "When I filed suit for foreclosure," he continued, "he
appeared in court and testified that the property belonged to his son,
who was in the military service, in consequence of which the suit for
foreclosure could not be pressed until after said son's discharge from
the service."
"All praise to the power of the war-time moratoriums," Farrel declared.
"I suppose you re-entered the suit as soon as the report of my death
reached you."
Parker chuckled.
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