cupants had made calculations over and over again. He fell to figuring.
“Thirty-two months—two years and eight months—that was his copper. He tried it again; a third time; the result was the same. He could gain two years and eight months.
He subtracted now. Keeping his copper, there would be left for him to serve only five years and four months.
Five years and four months! That would not be so long! He looked back along his life to get a measure. Five years ago, he was turning his first yegg trick. It wasn’t so long, five years. In five years he would be only thirty-four.
He sat down to calm himself. “In five years—I wonder where Nell will be,” he said. But the thought did not remain with him long. Almost immediately he returned to the more palpitant subject. He remained silent, bent over, thinking, a long time. And then, solemnly, almost with affection, “My copper,” he said softly.
He would work for it, he would treasure it,
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