"Yes; he had no reason to tell me a lie."
"What's that?" asked Sam.
"The Quaker gentleman who was here told Tony that he was heir to a large fortune."
"Ho, ho!" laughed Sam, boisterously. "That's a likely story, that is."
"Why isn't it?" asked Tony, frowning.
"You heir to a fortune—a clodhopper like you! Oh! I shall split!" said Sam, giving way to another burst of merriment.
"I am no more a clodhopper than you are," said Tony, "and I advise you not to laugh too much, or I may make you laugh on the other side of your mouth."
"It'll take more than you to do it," said Sam, defiantly.
"I have done it already, Sam Payson, and I'm ready to try it again before I leave town."
"I wouldn't dirty my hands with you," said Sam, scornfully.