“‘Nothin’ much,’ says he.
“‘But what of it?’ says I.
“‘Well,’ says he, ‘if you was t’ look them million books over, goin’ as easy as you please an’ markin’ off every line o’ every page with your forefinger, what d’ye think would come t’ pass?’
“I ’lowed I couldn’t tell.
“‘Eh?’ says he. ‘Come, now! give a guess.’
“‘I don’t know, Bill,’ says I.
“‘Why, Tumm,’ says he, ‘you wouldn’t find a copper agin the name o’ ol’ Bill Hulk!’
“‘That’s good livin’,’ says I.
“‘Not a copper!’ says he. ‘No, sir; not if you looked with spectacles. An’ so,’ says he, ‘I ’low I’ll jus’ keep on payin’ my passage for the little time that’s left. If my back on’y holds out,’ says he, ‘I’ll manage it till I’m through. ’Twon’t be any more than twenty year. Jus’ a little spurt o’ labor t’ do, Tumm,’ says he, ‘afore I goes.’
“‘More labor, Uncle Bill?’ says I. ‘God’s sake!’