Greatly mollified, the other invited him into the house, and set before his guest a substantial meal.
It occurred to Oswald that by show of liberality he might gain very valuable assistance in extricating himself from his terrible fix. He tossed a half-crown toward his host, who stared in blank amazement.
"That is right; keep it all, my kind friend."
With much show of appreciation the coin was pocketed.
"By the way, have you a good horse and cart?"
"You bet I has!"
"Say, friend, don't you wish to make some money?"
"That's what I does!"
"Well, I must be forty miles away to-night sometime, and here are three half-crowns for the drive. How soon can you start?"
"Inside of an hour."