“I am going to let you keep the locket,” he said, “because it will teach my greenhorn a lesson. William, do you hear that?”
“Yes, sir,” William said, and his face was very red.
Mr. Bass rose solemnly, apparently unmoved by his triumph in a somewhat remarkable transaction, and William long remembered how he towered over all of them. He held the locket out to Mr. Judson, who stared at it, astonished.
“What's this?” said that gentleman; “you don't want it?”
“Guess I'll have it marked,” said Jethro, “ef it don't cost extry.”
“Marked!” gasped Mr. Judson, “marked!”
“Ef it don't cost extry,” Jethro repeated.
“Well, I'll—” exclaimed Mr. Judson, and suddenly recalled the fact that he was a church member. “What inscription do you wish put into it?” he asked, recovering himself with an effort.
Jethro thrust his hand into his pocket, and again the cowhide wallet came out. He tendered Mr. Judson a somewhat soiled piece of paper, and Mr. Judson read:—
“Cynthy, from Jethro”