"A trifle."
The inquiries of the old man created a suspicion that he wished to know who was to be the second purchaser, in order that he might go to him and get a better price than was offered. This was the cause of the brief answers given to his questions. He clearly comprehended what was passing in the other's mind, but took no notice of it.
"For what purpose would the individual who purchased from you buy?" he pursued.
"To sell again."
"At a further advance, of course?"
"Certainly."
"And to some one, in all probability, who would be deceived into purchasing a worthless article."
"As likely as not; but with that I have no concern. I sell it for what it is, and ask only what it is worth."
"Is it worth anything?"
"Why—yes—I can't say—no." The first words were uttered with hesitation; the last one with a decided emphasis. "But then it has a market value, as every article has."