The man’s mouth was very mild. “You bought it for investment, I suppose? You put money into it—”
“Well,” said Uncle William, “suthin’ like that, perhaps. I put in all I could scrape up. Some I had—and some I just wished I’d had.”
“I see—? What would you take for it?—How much did you say you owned?” He bent toward the window.
“‘Bout a mile,” said Uncle William.
The head withdrew itself. “A mile—! You hoped it would rise, I suppose?”
“Well—I was more afraid someone ’d be coming along and setting on it,” said Uncle William.
“You could sell the whole?”
Uncle William shook his head.
“I shouldn’t care—so much—for a part of it,” said the man thoughtfully, “But I might make you an offer—”
“I wouldn’t advise you to,” said Uncle William, “I might just as well tell ye, Mr. Carter—there ain’t money enough in this country—nor any other—to buy that land!” Uncle William sat up.