"I done you an injury jest now, by sorter questionin' whether you wouldn't run off with that change, and I want to ask your pardon."
"Oh, that's all right," Warren laughed.
"No, it ain't all right, and I want to apologize right here in the presence of——"
"All right, you may tie it on as a ribbon if you want to, but it isn't necessary. Now you sit over here with me and tell me all about yourself and your neighborhood, for I'm going to give you a write-up that'll be a beauty to behold. You fellows go ahead with your nodding, and don't pay any attention to us. But you want to listen. Come to my sanctum, Mr. Lightfoot."
"I reckon it's safe," said the old man, following him. Caruthers turned his slow eyes upon Lyman. "Has that old fellow got any money?" he asked.
"Well, he's not a pauper."
"Suppose we could strike him for a hundred for six months?"
"No, he's a friend of mine."
"But," said Caruthers, "if we are going to raise money we'll have to borrow from friends. Our enemies won't let us have it."
"That's true, but our enemies in protecting themselves should not be permitted to drive us against our friends. That old man would let me have every cent he has. But he has labored more than forty years for his competence, and I will not rob him of a penny."