This remark came close home to the old fence, and disconcerted him for a minute. Presently, however, he rallied, and said:
“Do you think one has his liberty, as you call it, when he is poor—so poor that he can have no luxuries?”
“To be sure he does. Why not?”
“You will change your mind some day, and perhaps it will be too late.”
“I hope I shall never change my mind in favor of dishonesty and crime.”
“Do you know that a boy’s chance to get rich hardly ever comes to him but once in his life?” continued old Gunwagner, undaunted.
“No, and I don’t believe it is so, either.”
“Another evidence of your inexperience. When you get older, you will look back and see what I tell you is true; and if you miss this chance you will never get another one like it.”
“We don’t want another one like it, so it’s no use to talk about it any more.”
“That’s so,” said Bob; “he hain’t got no interest in us; I can see through his trick.”