"Laws! I'm sorry ye did that, Dan'l," said Mrs. Bigsby.

"With that he riz up," continued Dan'l, ignoring his sister, "and,
takin' them counterfeit notes from my hand, sez he: 'Them notes
belong to ME now,' sez he, 'and I'm goin' to destroy 'em.' And
with that he walks over to the fire as stiff as a poker, and held
them notes in it until they were burnt clean up."

"Well, but that was honest and straightforward in him!" said Mrs.
Bigsby.

"Um! but it wasn't business--and ye see"-- Dan'l paused and rubbed
his chin.

"Well, go on!" said Mrs. Bigsby impatiently.

"Well, ye see, neither him nor me was very smart in detectin'
counterfeits, or even knowin' 'em, and"--

"Well! For goodness' sake, Dan'l, speak out!"

"Well--THE DUM FOOL BURNT UP THREE GOOD BILLS, and we neither of us
knew it!"


V


The "unexpected" which Dan'l Borem had hinted might characterize