“Don’t guess Zip’s claim amounts to pea-shucks neither,” the storekeeper went on, his mind leaning towards the financial side of the matter.
“No.”
“Them kids’ll cost money, too.”
Bill nodded, but no one could have detected any interest in his movement.
“How’d it be to get that claim worked for him––while he’s away?”
Bill shrugged.
“Mebbe Zip’ll be gettin’ back,” he said.
“An’ if he don’t.”
“You mean?”
There was interest enough in Bill now. His interrogation was full of suppressed force.