A Colonial Wooing
his boat,—the one that plies between here and Philadelphia. He wishes to sell it, and Neighbor Watson has considered the matter and offers to join me in its purchase, and so, if thee still chooses, I will sell my interest in this venture. Thee can readily find a partner or helper, I think. But, John, has thee the money to buy my share?"
"If I had not," John replied, with a trace of anger in his tone and a contraction of the brows full of meaning,—" if I had not, I should not have made the suggestion. But why should I not buy Martin's boat, and let thee keep the shop? I can sail a boat, and thee cannot, and it was Martin's errand to see me, I think thee said."
"It was; but he happened to speak of the matter to Neighbor Watson, and he thought I had better buy it; and then thee knows I have forty—"
"Forty fiddle-sticks! William, I sometimes think thee is almost a dunce, and I'm so tired of hearing of thy forty pounds that I have wanted to have the shop here all to myself. Do follow Neighbor Watson's advice and
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