master-mason, after long contemplating it in silence, "a most
remarkable structure, sir."

"Yes," said I complacently, "every one says so."

"But large as it appears above the roof, I would not have
inferred the magnitude of this foundation, sir," eyeing it
critically.

Then taking out his rule, he measured it.

"Twelve feet square; one hundred and forty-four square feet!
Sir, this house would appear to have been built simply for the
accommodation of your chimney."

"Yes, my chimney and me. Tell me candidly, now," I added, "would
you have such a famous chimney abolished?"

"I wouldn't have it in a house of mine, sir, for a gift," was the
reply. "It's a losing affair altogether, sir. Do you know, sir,
that in retaining this chimney, you are losing, not only one
hundred and forty-four square feet of good ground, but likewise a
considerable interest upon a considerable principal?"

"How?"

Look, sir!" said he, taking a bit of red chalk from his pocket,
and figuring against a whitewashed wall, "twenty times eight is
so and so; then forty-two times thirty--nine is so and so--ain't
it,sir? Well, add those together, and subtract this here, then