"Books!" said his brother in astonishment.
"Yes —why?"
"I thought you said boots," the other remarked simply, as he disengaged a fish from the hook.
"Well," said Rufus sharply, "what then? what if I did? Can't a man want to furnish both ends of his house at once?"
"I have heard of a man in his sleep getting himself turned about with his head in the place of his feet. I thought he was dreaming."
"You may have your five dollars again, if you think them ill- bestowed," said the other putting his hand in his pocket; — "There they are! — I don't want them — I will find a way to stand on my own legs — with boots or without, as the case may be."
"I don't know who has better legs," said Winthrop. "I can't pity you."
"But seriously, Winthrop," said Rufus, smiling in spite of himself, — "a man may go empty-headed, but he cannot go bare- footed into a library, nor into society."
"Did you go much into society at Asphodel?" asked Winthrop.
"Not near so much as I shall — and that's the very thing. I can't do without these things, you see. They are necessary to me. Even at Asphodel — but that was nothing. Asphodel will be a very good place for you to go to in the first instance. You won't find yourself a stranger."