figure?"

Barry had been looking steadfastly at the fire during the whole
conversation, up to this: playing with the poker, and knocking the
coals about. He was longing to look into the other's face, but he did
not dare. Now, however, was his time; it was now or never: he took one
furtive glance at the doctor, and saw that he was really anxious on the
subject--that his attention was fixed.

"The figure," said he; "the figure should not trouble you if you had no
one but me to deal, with. But there'll be Anty, confound her, putting
her fist into this and every other plan of mine!"

"I'd better deal with the agent, I'm thinking," said Colligan; "so,
good night."

"You'll find you'd a deal better be dealing with me: you'll never find
an easier fellow to deal with, or one who'll put a better thing in your
way."

Colligan again sat down. He couldn't quite make Barry out: he suspected
he was planning some iniquity, but he couldn't tell what; and he
remained silent, looking full into the other's face till he should go
on. Barry winced under the look, and hesitated; but at last he screwed
himself up to the point, and said,

"One word, between two friends, is as good as a thousand. If Anty
dies of this bout, you shall have the fifty acres, with a lease for
perpetuity, at sixpence an acre. Come, that's not a high figure, I
think."