Mary leaned against the moist wall. She was now past caring, and she hardly heard.
"Make it seven-seventy-five," said Bill, with sudden ingratiation.
Big Lou raised the lamp again and again regarded the animal, her swollen eyes sharpening.
"I'll tell you what I'll do," she said, once more facing the sailor. "Are you goin' to stop here to-night?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'll come up in the mornin' and take a closer look. If she passes that, I'll give you seven-fifty."
Bill's brown face worked in thought, but the thirst for liquor was upon him, and he compromised.
"All right," he said—"if you'll give me five down on account."
The giantess flung aside her red dressing-gown and, from a black cotton stocking that hung loose upon a shriveled shank, drew a few greasy bills. From these she reluctantly counted five, handed them to Stevens, and returned the rest to their original place of safety.
"G'on up," she said. "I stay here till work's done, an' take tolls."