“If he kept it himself he'd spend it in some improper way.”
“Just so. I'll attend to it.”
Now our hero was gifted with pretty sharp ears, and he caught enough of this conversation to understand Mr. Holden's plot, which he straightway determined should not succeed.
“You shan't take me in this time, Mr. Holden,” he thought.
He opened his pocketbook to see if he had enough small change to pay for his dinner without intrenching upon his bill. There proved to be a quarter and two half-dimes, amounting, of course, to thirty-five cents. This would not be quite sufficient.
“I must change the bill somewhere,” he said to himself.
Looking out of the tavern window, he saw the village store nearly opposite. He took his cap and ran over. There was a clerk leaning with his elbows upon the counter, appearing unoccupied.
It occurred to Herbert that he might want some paper and envelopes. He inquired the price.
“We sell the paper at a penny a sheet, and the envelopes will cost you eight cents a package.”
“Then you may give me twelve sheets of paper and a package of envelopes,” said Herbert.