"I can't argue with you, I see," and the man appeared to relinquish his effort to buy the fur.
Marks made no further reference to the pelts, indeed, until after Mrs. Twig and Violet had retired that evening to the inner room and to bed. Then for nearly an hour he sat smoking and telling the boys stories of adventures up and down the coast, until Charley, yawning, suggested that he was sleepy, and saying good night retired to the bunk which he and Toby occupied.
While Toby was spreading a caribou skin upon the floor near the stove as a protection for Marks's sleeping bag, Marks suggested:
"Let me see that silver again. I'd like another look at it."
Toby obligingly brought it forth, and again Marks held it up for inspection.
"I'll give you five hundred and fifty in trade for that, and you can come to my shop at White Bear Run and trade it out any time you like."
"No, I'll not sell un," and there was no doubt that this was Toby's final and decisive decision.
"All right!" and Marks returned the pelt to Toby. "You have an otter there you didn't show me. How about that?"
Toby passed the otter pelt over to Marks, who examined it critically, and finally suggested:
"I'll give you fifty-five dollars in cash for it."