"'I should think he was,' said the young woman. 'In fact, I think you are a funny lot, toll-gate woman and all. Now here is a quarter; please take the toll and give me the change, that is, if you know how to calculate.'
"Sam took the money, but he did not immediately make the change. 'I don't want you to think hard of any of us,' said he, 'on account of your bein' kept here a little longer than common. But specially I don't want you to think hard of my friend Cap'n Abner Budlong, the gentleman who stepped out here to see who was passin'. Bless your soul, he's no detective! He's one of the finest fellows I know, and you jes ought to see his house at Shamrick. It's filled with more things that's nice to look at and things that's comfortable to use than any other house in that region. Everything's jes as clean and shipshape—'
"'He must have a good wife,' the young woman interrupted.
"'He hasn't got no wife at all,' said Sam, delighted to get in this piece of information. 'Never had one.'
"The girl looked at him, and then she laughed merrily. 'I really must go on,' she said. 'You truly are a funny lot, all of you.' And as she drove on she looked back, still laughing.
"Sam Twitty rubbed his hands together quite cheerfully, and went into the house to get his dinner.
"'Did that woman change your five-dollar note?' asked the keeper of the toll-gate.
"'Bless my soul!' exclaimed Sam. 'I never thought to ask her.'
"'What did you ask her?' cried the woman. 'She was out there for the longest time, and I thought of course you was gettin' your note changed.'
"Sam smiled. 'She was very interesting,' said he."