"Four and a half," said Andy, grudgingly.

"Four and a half. Well, you see, I give you six. So there's a dollar and
a half clear gain."

Andrew's eyes narrowed to the dollar and a half and fed on it awhile. "I
shall hev to ask Harr'et," he said.

"Now, I wouldn't ask Harriet." Uncle William spoke soothingly. "She
don't agree with you and me a good many times--Harriet don't."

Andrew admitted it. He chewed awhile in silence. "You'll give me a
mortgage?" he said at last. The tone was crafty.

"On my place!" Uncle William was roused. "No, sir, I don't give
mortgages to nobody."

"Then I don't see as I can let you hev it," said Andy. "It's fair to ask
for a mortgage. What if anything should happen to ye--down there in New
York? Where'd _I_ be?" He looked at him reproachfully.

"You _would_ miss me, Andy, and I know it. I'm goin' to be careful. I
shan't take no more resks 'n I have to."

"Nor me, neither," said Andy.

"That's right, Andy, you be careful, too, while I'm gone. Why, 't
wouldn't ever be like home--to come back and not find you here."