"'It concerns eggs,' said Pearson. 'Abner, did you ever hear about the eggs of the great auk?'
"'Great hawk!' said Abner.
"'Not hawk! Auk—a-u-k.'
"'Never seen the bird,' said Abner.
"'I reckon not,' said the other. 'They say they disappeared some time before the war; but I don't believe that. I've been readin' a piece about 'em, Abner, and I tell you it just roused me up, and that's the reason I've come here s'posin' I might find a book that might give me some new p'ints. But I reckon I know enough to work on.'
"'Is there anything uncommon about 'em?' asked Abner.
"'Uncommon!' exclaimed the other. 'Do you know what a great auk's egg is wuth? It's one thousand eight hundred dollars!'
"'A car-load?' asked Abner.
"'Stuff!' ejaculated Mr. Pearson. 'It's that much for one; and that one blowed—nothin' but a shell—not a thing inside. And eighteen hundred dollars!'
"'By George!' exclaimed Abner. 'Eighteen hundred dollars!'