“I guess it burnt him some.”
“I guess you’d think so; if there’s anything in this world that’s hot, or holds heat, it’s rye and Indian bread. It stuck between his toes, and scalded to the bone. He ran round the room, howling and swearing, and the tears running down his cheeks.”
“Served him right.”
“I think so. Now, if I were you, I wouldn’t have anything to do with him; he’ll cheat you, sure.”
“I reckon I can tell a good cow when I see her.”
“Perhaps you can; but he’s cheated as smart men as you are. Let me go and trade for you.”
Charlie would by no means consent to that, but set off on his errand.
“Well,” said Uncle Isaac, as they parted, “it is said, bought wit is good; perhaps it is, if you don’t buy it too dear.” When, at length, at the place, he was received by Colcord with the greatest cordiality; but Charlie saw that the house and all the surroundings accorded precisely with Uncle Isaac’s description of his character.
Colcord himself was a meagre-looking being; although in years, he was barefoot, and so was his wife. Charlie also noticed that the small quantity of wood at the door seemed to be rotten windfalls and dead limbs of trees, though he possessed a large extent of very heavily timbered woodland. Three boys, whose dress barely served the purposes of decency, completed this singular family. The youngest, notwithstanding his rags and a certain timidity of expression (the result of hard usage), was a most intelligent, noble-looking boy, with whose face Charlie instantly fell in love; his heart went out to these boys.