"That's very odd," said Lawrence, and yawned, for want of some better answer; then taking out a handful of half-pence—"See what I got from father to-day, because I asked him just at the right time, when he had drunk a glass or two; then I can get anything I want of him. See, a penny, two-pence, three-pence, four-pence—there's eight-pence in all; would you not be happy if you had eight-pence?"
"Why, I don't know," said Jem, laughing, "for you don't seem happy, and you have eight-pence."
"That does not signify, though I'm sure you only say that because you envy me—you don't know what it is to have eight-pence—you never had more than two-pence and three-pence at a time in all your life."
Jem smiled; "Oh, as to that," said he, "you are mistaken, for I have at this very time more than two-pence, three-pence, or eight-pence either I have—let me see: stones, two shillings; then five days' work, that's five six-pences, that's two shillings and six-pence, in all makes four shillings and six-pence, and my silver penny is four and seven-pence."
"Four and seven-pence—you have not," said Lawrence, roused so as absolutely to stand upright; "four and seven-pence! have you? Show it me, and then I'll believe you."
"Follow me, then," cried Jem, "and I'll soon make you believe me; come."
"Is it far?" said Lawrence, following, half running, half hobbling, till he came to the stable, where Jem showed him his treasure.
"And how did you come by it? Honestly?"
"Honestly; to be sure I did; I earned it all.
"Lord bless me, earned it! Well, I've a great mind to work; but then it is such hot weather; besides, grandmother says I'm not strong enough yet for hard work; and besides, I know how to coax daddy out of money when I want it, so I need not work. But four and seven-pence—let's see, what will you do with it all?"