"You have something to say," I said. "I am quite at your
command," and I went and leaned against the chimneypiece.

The low fire upon the hearth burnt lower still before she broke the
silence. When she did speak it was slowly, and with a voice which
was evidently controlled only by a strong effort of a strong will.
She said: -

"When - yesterday, to-day, ten thousand years ago you went from
this horrible forest down to that wretched village yonder, to those
huts that make your London, you went to buy you a wife?"

"Yes, madam," I answered. "I went with that intention."

"You had made your calculation? In your mind you had pitched
upon such and such an article, with such and such qualities, as
desirable? Doubtless you meant to get your money's worth?"

"Doubtless," I said dryly.

"Will you tell me what you were inclined to consider its
equivalent?"

I stared at her, much inclined to laugh. The interview promised to
be interesting.

"I went to Jamestown to get me a wife," I said at length, "because I
had pledged my word that I would do so. I was not over-anxious. I
did not run all the way. But, as you say, I intended to do the best I
could for myself; one hundred and twenty pounds of tobacco being