very small; small and sweet."

"Yes," said Farmer Barly, "but just tell me, who wants small apples?"

Mr. Frye nodded his head. "Ah, that's it," he agreed.

At that moment Mr. Jeminy himself entered the store. "I'd like to buy
a pencil," he said. "The pencil I have in mind," he explained, "is
soft, and writes easily, but has no eraser."

"There you are," said the storekeeper; "that's five cents."

"I used to pay four," said Mr. Jeminy, looking for the extra penny.

"Well, perhaps you did," said Mr. Frye, "but prices are very high now."
And he moved away to register the sale.

Farmer Barly, who was a member of the school board, cleared his throat,
and blew on his nose. "Hem," he remarked. "Good-day."

"Good-day," said Mr. Jeminy politely, and went out of the store with
his pencil. Left to themselves, Mr. Frye and Mr. Barly began to
discuss him. "Jeminy is growing old," said Mr. Frye, with a shake of
his head.

Mr. Barly, although stupid, liked to be direct. "I was brought up on
plus and minus," he said, "and I've yet to meet the man who can get the
better of me. Now what do you think of that, Mr. Frye?"

Mr. Frye looked up, down, and around; then he began to polish his