“Is he going to give me one?” thought Tom.
“A young man of your age ought to have a watch. Now I’m going to make you an offer—a splendid offer—the chance of a life-time. Do you see that watch?”
He drew out what appeared to be a gold watch of rather a pretty pattern.
“I see it,” said Tom, wondering what was to come next.
“I want to sell it. The fact is, I’ve got a note to meet at three o’clock, and must have some money. The watch is worth seventy-five dollars. I will sell it to you for twenty-five.”
“You must be in great want of money,” said Tom, not meaning to be sarcastic.
“I am; but that is not the only consideration. I really don’t need the watch, for I have another at home. Say the word, and the watch is yours at twenty-five dollars—dirt cheap, I can assure you.”
“It may be,” said Tom—he really thought it was—“but I can’t afford to buy it.”
“Buy it then on speculation. Why, I venture to say you can double your money on it in a week, if you will look about a little for a purchaser who knows a good thing when he sees it.”
“Then why are you willing to sell for so small a sum?” asked our hero.