“The other side, of course.”
“Then what’s the good of them?”
“Makes a watch more valuable,” said Burr major haughtily. “There, don’t crowd in so. I’m going to put it away now.”
“What jewels are they?” said a boy. “Pearls?”
“Diamonds,” said Mercer, with his eyes fixed on the watch, “to make hard points for the wheels to swing upon, because diamonds won’t wear.”
“Oh, hark at him!” cried Burr major. “Old Senna knows all about it. Hardly ever saw a watch before in his life.”
“Haven’t I?” cried Mercer. “Why, my father has a beauty, with second hands—a stop watch.”
“Ha, ha, ha!” cried Burr major, closing his new present with a loud snap. “A stop watch! that’s an old one that won’t go, boys. Poor old Mercer!—poor old Senna Tea! Did your father buy it cheap?”
There was a roar of laughter at this, for the boys always laughed at Burr major’s jokes.
“No; I know,” said Hodson. “One of old Senna’s patients that he killed, left it him in his will.”