“'Yes, perhaps it is,' said Joshua.
“'Well then, ye'll answer a fair question. If ye continue to stay here, where's the money for your board comin' from?'
“'Board?' says Josh.
“'Yes, board! You don't reckon to run a visit over three months, do ye?'
“'Why, I didn't think there'd be any question of this sort between us, Gid.'
“'Business is business. If you'd had more business to you, you wouldn't be a pauper now.'
“'A pauper!'
“'That's what I said. You deeded this place to Cynthy Marshall, didn't ye? Well, she has deeded it to me. 'Tain't much of a husband that don't have his property in his own name.'
“'But see here, Gideon, you know why I deeded this property. You know how matters have come out. Between brothers in such a case there should be no such thing as stickin' to the letter of deeds.'
“'Nearer the relatives be to ye, closer you ought to follow the law,' snapped Gid, 'or else ye'll get cheated worse than by a stranger!'