Bet. Bill?
Ped. Yes, old Shakespeare. I have been with his family so much, that I have got into the habit of calling him Bill, jest as they do.
Bet. Then you have been there?
Ped. Oh, yes; I wintered there and partly summered. But as I was a saying, Bill give ’em to his wife; he give ’em to Ann when he first begun to pay attention to her. Bill bought ’em of a one-eyed man with a wooden leg by the name of Brown. Miss Shakespeare wore ’em as long as she lived, and they was kept in the family till I bought ’em; a sister of one of his brother-in-law’s was obliged to part with ’em to get morphine.
Bet. I suppose you ask a large price for them?
Ped. How much! how much you remind me of a favorite sister who died when she was fifteen. She was considered by good judges to be the handsomest girl in North America. But business before pleasure—I ought to have upwards of 30 dollars a head for ’em; but seeing it is you, and it hain’t no ways likely that I shall ever meet with another wo——young girl that I feel under bonds to sell ’em to, you may have ’em for 13 dollars and a half.
Bet. That is more money than I thought of spending to-day.
Ped. Let me tell you what I will do. I don’t care seeing it’s you, if I do get cheated. I am willing to be cheated by one that looks so much like that angel sister. Give me 13 dollars and a half and I’ll throw in the pin that goes with ’em. I did want to keep that to remind me of them happy days at Stratford. But take ’em, take ’em and put ’em out of my sight right quick, or I shall repent.
Bet. (tenderly) I don’t want to rob you of them, deah man.
Ped. Take ’em, and give me the money quick, before I am completely unmanned. (takes money) Take care of the ear-rings, and Heaven bless you.