"I came this morning," said Bob. "But that isn't what I came to see you about. Here's a fresh-water pearl that came from a little stream, and I would like to know what it is worth."
"It isn't worth much," said the jeweller, as he watched Bob undoing the parcel. "I've had to pass upon a heap of such things as that, and the best of them are not worth more than a dollar or two. Why, Bob," he added, as he took the pearl and held it up to the light, "where did you get this? I tell you, that is a beauty!"
"Is that worth more than a dollar or two?" asked Bob.
"Well, I should say so!" exclaimed the jeweller. "It is worth two hundred dollars at least."
Bob was amazed.
"You never found this," said the jeweller, looking at Bob in surprise. "Where did you get it?"
"No, I didn't find it, that's a fact," said Bob; who then went on, under a pledge of secrecy, to repeat everything that Hank had said to him. "I brought it here because he was afraid you would laugh at him, and Hank don't like to be laughed at."
"Well, I guess I shouldn't have laughed at him. Are there any more where this came from?"
"Hank says there are from twenty-five to thirty there, but he didn't suppose they were worth any money, and so he never stopped to pick them up. Two hundred dollars! You are sure you haven't made a mistake?"
"No, indeed. It is worth more than that, but I can't tell how much more until I send it away. That boy's fortune is made. Twenty-five more at two hundred dollars! His father can loaf now just as long as he pleases. He will never have to work again. You don't know the stream where this came from?"