"Well, I swan to man! I thought you was mourning over your luck, and I was bringing ye sunthin' to kind o' cheer ye up. Glad to hear you've no need. Fine day, but rather windy. Wonder what's the time!"
So saying, Seth drew out the watch, and regarded it with provoking coolness.
"I'm plagued ef the darned thing hain't run down! Say, Frank, ye couldn't think of throwin' in the key, too—could ye? I can't wind her up without a key."
Frank choked a little, but his look was cheerful, as he put his hand in his pocket, and, without a word, delivered over to the new owner of the watch the key also.
"Thank ye; much obleeged;" and Seth "wound her up" with extraordinary parade. Then he shook it, and held it to his ear. Then he said, "All right! she's a puttin' in again, lickety-switch! Good watch, that." Then he set it "by guess." Then he was returning it to his pocket, when a new thought seemed to strike him.
"What do ye do for a watch-pocket, Frank? Gov'ment don't provide watch-pockets, seems."
"I made one for myself," said Frank.
"Sho now! ye didn't, though—did ye? What with?"
"With a needle and thread I brought from home, and with another old pocket," said Frank.
"Well, you air the cutest! Say, what'll ye tax to make me one? I don't care to hev it very large; a small watch, so."