Part 24 (1/2)
down.”
”What's the price, Tom?”
”How much you got, Peter?”
”Ah, well, I can afford a stiffish price, Tom. Anything you say in reason will suit me. You name the price, Tom. I'll pay.”
”Ay, ye crab!” says Tom. ”I'm namin' prices now. Look out, Peter!
You're seventy-three. I'm fifty-three. Will you grant that I'd live t' be as old as you?”
”I'll grant it, Tom.”
”I'm not sayin' I would,” says Tom. ”You mark that.”
”Ah, well, I'll grant it, anyhow.”
”I been an industrious man all my life, Skipper Peter. None knows it better than you. Will you grant that I'd earn a hundred and fifty dollars a year if I lived?”
”Ay, Tom.”
Down come a gust of wind. ”Have done!” says one of the lads. ”Here's the gale come down with the dark. Us'll all be cast away.”
”Rodney's mine, isn't she?” says Tom.
Well, she was. n.o.body could say nothing to that. And n.o.body did.
”That's three thousand dollars, Peter,” says Tom.
”Three--thousand--dollars!”
”Ay,” says Peter, ”she calculates that way. But you've forgot t'
deduct your livin' from the total. Not that I minds,” says he. ”'Tis just a business detail.”
”Damme,” says Tom. ”I'll not be hars.h.!.+”
”Another thing, Tom,” says Peter. ”You're askin' me t' pay for twenty years o' life when I can use but a few. G.o.d knows how many!”
”I got you where I wants you,” says Tom, ”but I isn't got the heart t'
grind you. Will you pay two thousand dollars for my seat in the boat?”
”If you is fool enough t' take it, Tom.”
”There's something t' boot,” says Tom. ”I wants t' die out o' debt.”
”You does, Tom.”
”An' my father's bill is squared?”
”Ay.”
”'Tis a bargain!” says Tom. ”G.o.d witness!”