“Do you want the fish, or are you going to let me take them?”
“I'd like to have one fish. You may take the others.”
“Not unless you let me pay for them, Joe.”
“Oh, you needn't mind about paying me.”
“But I insist,” came from Ned. “I won't touch them otherwise.”
“All right, you can pay me for what I caught.”
“No, I want to pay for all of them. Your time is worth something, and I know you have to support your—the old hermit now.”
“All right, Ned, have your own way. Yes, I admit, I need all the money I get.”
“Is the old hermit very sick?”
“Not so sick, but his rheumatism keeps him from going out hunting or fishing, so all that work falls to me.”