Old Dutcher was unmarried , and his widowed sister kept house for him . This poor lady had a decidedly lonely life of it , for Old Dutcher studiously discouraged visitors . His passion for solitude was surpassed only by his eagerness to make and save money . Although he was well-to-do , he would wrangle over a cent , and was the terror of all who had ever had dealings with him . Fortunately for Ned and his project , this did turn out to be one of Old Dutcher 's good days . He had just concluded an advantageous bargain with a Windsor cattle-dealer , and hence he received Ned with what , for Old Dutcher , might be called absolute cordiality . Besides , although Old Dutcher disliked all boys on principle , he disliked Ned less than the rest because the boy had always treated him respectfully and had never played any tricks on him on Hallowe'en or April Fool 's Day . `` I 've come down to see you on a little matter of business , Mr. Dutcher , '' said Ned , boldly and promptly . It never did to beat about the bush with Old Dutcher ; you had to come straight to the point . `` I want to know if you will rent your pond behind the barn to me for a skating-rink . '' Old Dutcher 's aspect was certainly not encouraging . `` No , I wo n't . You ought to know that . I never allow anyone to skate there . I ai n't going to have a parcel of whooping , yelling youngsters tearing over my fences , disturbing my sleep at nights , and like as not setting fire to my barns . No , sir ! I ai n't going to rent that pond for no skating-rink . '' Ned smothered a smile . `` Just wait a moment , Mr. Dutcher , '' he said respectfully . `` I want you to hear my proposition before you refuse definitely .
First , I 'll give you ten dollars for the rent of the XXXXX ; then I 'll see that there will be no running over your fields and climbing your fences , no lighting of fire or matches about it , and no ` whooping and yelling ' at nights .
Mr. Windsor barn cent pond proposition sir smile terror youngsters