“Ethan, have you ever been in New York?” inquired Bob.
“Who, me? Well, I rather guess not. They don’t get me to go to no sech place as that. Pickpockets an’ thieves an’ gamblers. No, sir. I’ve never been outside o’ Jefferson an’ St. Lawrence counties in all my born days. This ’ere river is good enough for me, an’ I’m goin’ to stay where I’m well off. Since these city people have got to comin’ up here summers, I’m makin’ money.”
From Ethan’s manner it was evident that he wished the boys to question him, and Bob was the first to improve the opportunity.
“Ethan, are you a rich man?” he inquired solemnly.
“Rich? well, I don’ know as ye’d call it that exactly. I’m doin’ pretty well, though. D’ye know heow much money I took in last summer rowin’?” he added, as if he were about to disclose some great secret.
“No; I can’t imagine. How much was it?” said Bob.
“One hundred an’ ten dollars an’ sixty-nine cents!”
“You don’t mean it! It can’t be possible!”
“Well, it is trew, whether it’s possible or not. I saved thirty-one dollars an’ sixteen cents an’ have got it in the bank up to Wat’town now.”