“‘Fourteen,’ says he, ‘an’ more!’

“‘Whew!’ says I.

“‘An’, Tumm,’ says he, ‘I had twenty-four sixty once—about eighteen year ago.’

“‘You got a heap now,’ says I. ‘Fourteen dollar! Whew!’

“‘No, Tumm!’ cries he, all of a sudden. ‘No, no! I been lyin’ t’ you. I been lyin’!’ says he. ‘Lyin’!’

“‘I don’t care,’ says I; ‘you go right ahead an’ lie.’

“‘They isn’t fourteen dollar there,’ says he. ‘I jus’ been makin’ believe they was. See that there little pile o’ pennies t’ the nor’east? I been sittin’ here countin’ in them pennies twice. They isn’t fourteen dollar,’ says he; ‘they’s on’y thirteen eighty-four! But I wisht they was fourteen.’

“‘Never you mind,’ says I; ‘you’ll get that bit o’ prope’ty yet.’

“‘I got to,’ says he, ‘afore I goes.’

“‘Where does it lie?’ says I.