"Didn't you say so just now?"
"It was none of the old man's business, and I did not care what I told him."
"There's something within me tells me that there's no relationship between us," said Tony, boldly.
"Is there, indeed," sneered the tramp. "Is there anything within you tells you you are going to get a good flogging?"
"No, there isn't."
"Then you needn't trust it, for that is just what is going to happen."
He advanced toward Tony in a threatening manner, when he was diverted from his purpose by seeing the old man hastily gathering up the gold with the intention of putting it away. Punishment could wait, he thought, but the gold must be secured now.
"Not so fast, Ben!" he said. "You must lend me some of that."
"I can't," said Ben, hurrying all the faster. "It's all I have, and I am very poor."
"I am poorer still, for I haven't a red to bless myself with. Come, I won't take all, but some I must have."