"Father says John is wild about Chum," went on the girl
unconcernedly; adding, "By the way, John asked father to tell you
he'd be glad to pay you $100 for the dog. It's a splendid offer,
isn't it! Think of all the things we can get for the house with
$100, Link! Why, it seems almost providential, doesn't it? Father
says John is in earnest about it too. He--"

"In earnest, hey!" snapped Ferris, finding his voice after an
instant of utter amazement. "In EARNEST! Well, that's real grand
of him, ain't it! I'd be in earnest, too, if I was to bid ten
cents for the best farm in Passaic County. But the feller who
owned the farm wouldn't be in earnest. He'd be taking it as a
fine joke. Like I do, when Johnny Iglehart has the nerve to offer
$100 for a dog that wouldn't be worth a cent less'n $600--even if
he was for sale. Why, that collie of mine--"

"If he is worth $600," suggested Dorcas icily, "you'd better not
lose any time before you find someone who will pay that for him.
He's no use to us. And $600 is too much money to carry on four
legs. He--"

"No use to us?" echoed Link. "Why, Chum's worth the pay of a
hired man to me, besides all the fondness I've got for him! He
handles the sheep, and he--"

"So you've told me," interposed Dorcas with no show of interest.
"I remember the first few times you came to see me you didn't
talk of anything else, hardly, except that dog. Everybody says
the same thing. It's a joke all through Hampton, the silly way
you're forever singing his praises."