“Why, you're like a horse that never was rode! Try again, old man,” said the farmer.
“If I drags a cart,” Master Gammon replied, “that ain't no reason why I should leap a gate.”
The farmer felt that he was worsted as regarded the illustration, and with a bit of the boy's fear of the pedagogue, he fought Anthony off by still pressing the arithmetical problem upon Master Gammon; until the old man, goaded to exasperation, rolled out thunderingly,—
“If I works fer ye, that ain't no reason why I should think fer ye,” which caused him to be left in peace.
“Eh, Robert?” the farmer transferred the question; “Come! what is it?”
Robert begged a minute's delay, while Anthony watched him with hawk eyes.
“I tell you what it is—it's pounds,” said Robert.
This tickled Anthony, who let him escape, crying: “Capital! Pounds it is in your pocket, sir, and you hit that neatly, I will say. Let it be five. You out with your five at interest, compound interest; soon comes another five; treat it the same: in ten years—eh? and then you get into figures; you swim in figures!”
“I should think you did!” said the farmer, winking slyly.
Anthony caught the smile, hesitated and looked shrewd, and then covered his confusion by holding his plate to Mrs. Sumfit for a help. The manifest evasion and mute declaration that dumpling said “mum” on that head, gave the farmer a quiet glow.