"Two dollars!" ejaculated the old man, terrified. "O, it's too much. I am ruined!"
"Are you?" said Tony, coolly. "Then all I can say is, you're easy ruined. I want half a dollar."
"I shan't give it to you," snarled Ben.
"Do you mean to starve?"
"I won't part with all I have. You are robbing me."
"That won't make much difference, as you'll be dead in three days," said Tony.
"What?" almost shrieked Ben, in dismay. "Who told you so? The doctor?"
"No."
"You ain't goin' to murder me, are you?"