Yes, the fisherman would sell some. How many were desired?
"Aw, give me," the boy paused, as if considering the amount sufficient for their needs, "give me two cents' worth."
The merchant shook his head. "Two cents?" he sneered. "Naw! Won't sell any for less 'n a nickel."
A gaunt, anaemic southerner, who was with the party of idlers, spoke up.
"Yeah, boy. What's the matter?"
Silvey turned ruefully. "Ain't got money enough to buy some minnies," he explained.
The tall figure stooped abruptly, fumbled in a battered basket which held a miscellaneous assemblage of bait, throwlines, newspapers, and food, and drew forth a handful of the diminutive fish.
"Yeah, boy," he smiled.
Silvey offered the two coppers in payment.
"Keep 'em, boy, keep 'em," with an indignant glance at the imperturbable fish monopolist. "I ain't like some folks."