From somewhere in his clothes Jim produced a greasy wallet, which he opened. He took from it a ten-dollar gold piece. Gill promptly mated it, but modified the time.
"An hour's too short a time for a fair test."
Jim replaced the money in his wallet. Gill tossed his gold piece into the air, caught it as it fell, balanced it on the tip of his finger, and said:
"Jim, how would you like to have this shiner for your first wedding-fee?"
Jim's eyes dilated.
"Well, yer wouldn't think I'd objec', would yer?"
Gill laughed and slipped the coin into his pocket. Jim's face betrayed his eagerness for the gold.
"Let's go into the shop. I've something particular to say to you," said Gill.
They entered, and Jim shut the door. Gill dropped into the shoemaker's seat and laid the lap-board on his knees.
"Do you know, Jim, that Squire Parsons is going to be hard to beat?"