"Some, of course; the dead trees, and the worm-eaten, powder-posted ones, will fall in the high winds, naturally. But old Bullion is safe. No rotten hollow in his old white-oak trunk;—sound as a ship's mainmast."
"Is it Bullion who owes you?"
"Yes. I have his notes for ten thousand dollars; and our next settlement, I calculate, will give me as much more."
"Why don't you get your pay?"
"What should I do with it, my duck? I couldn't lend it to anybody safer. If I deposit, the bank is as likely to fail as he. As long as he has the whole capital to swing, he will make the more for us both."
"I would rather have the money."
"That shows how little you know about it."
"I know, if you had it, and didn't lend it nor speculate with it, you couldn't lose it."
"Now, ducky, don't interfere. You take care of babies nicely. Let me manage my own affairs."
"You always treat me like a child that has to be petted with sugar-plums."