We were very happy too , although we were bossed by Uncle Abimelech more or less . But he meant it well and Father did n't mind . Then Father died -- oh , that was a dreadful time ! I hurried over it in my thinking-out . Of course when Murray and I came to look our position squarely in the face we found that we were dependent on Uncle Abimelech for everything , even the roof over our heads . We were literally as poor as church mice and even poorer , for at least they get churches rent-free . Murray 's heart was set on going to college and studying medicine . He asked Uncle Abimelech to lend him enough money to get a start with and then he could work his own way along and pay back the loan in due time . Uncle Abimelech is rich , and Murray and I are his nearest relatives . But he simply would n't listen to Murray 's plan . `` I put my foot firmly down on such nonsense , '' he said . `` And you know that when I put my foot down something squashes . '' It was not that Uncle Abimelech was miserly or that he grudged us assistance . Not at all . He was ready to deal generously by us , but it must be in his own way . His way was this . Murray and I were to stay on the farm , and when Murray was twenty-one Uncle Abimelech said he would deed the farm to him -- make him a present of it out and out . `` It 's a good farm , Murray , '' he said . `` Your father never made more than a bare living out of it because he was n't strong enough to work it properly -- that 's what he got out of a college course , by the way . But you are strong enough and ambitious enough to do well . ''
But XXXXX could n't be a farmer , that was all there was to it .
Abimelech Father Murray face farm loan money nonsense start thinking-out