_Hosea._ Decidedly I do. _Hiram_ (_comes down_). Do I understand you, colonel? You wish to dispose of Trueworth Farm? _Rowell._ What's that to you? _Hiram._ If you want to sell, I'm your customer. _Rowell._ You? _Hosea._ You? Why, Hiram Jenks, where can you find the money? _Hiram._ No matter, dad. Name your price, colonel. _Rowell._ Fifteen hundred dollars. _Hiram_ (_takes a wallet from his pocket, and slaps it on table_). There's your money. _Hosea._ The boy's crazy. (_Aside to_ H.) I say, Hiram, what are you about? You wouldn't let me buy it, and now— _Hiram._ I want it: you forget you are under suspicion. Uncle Sam might confiscate your property at any moment, and the farm would go with it. _Hosea._ Oh, what a head, what a head! And I thought him a boy! _Hiram._ If you want the money to-night, write a receipt, and take it. We will pass the papers in the morning. _Rowell_ (_goes to table_, R., _and writes_). Certainly. _Hiram_ (_takes paper from his pocket_). As I have had some thoughts of making you an offer for the property, I have drawn up an agreement. Sign that, and I am satisfied. _Rowell_ (_takes paper, and looks at it_). This is satisfactory. (_Signs._) _Hiram._ Now, dad, if you will witness it. (_Takes bills from wallet._) _Hosea._ Certainly. (_Signs. Aside._) Where could that boy have got his money? _Hiram_ (_taking paper, and laying down bills_). You'll find that all right. _Rowell_ (_counting money_). All correct. I will see you at Lawyer Ware's office, to-morrow at nine. Is that satisfactory? _Hiram._ Perfectly. Come, dad, let's look after the office. _Hosea._ Yes, to the office, where I shall take the first opportunity to write to the Postmaster General, resigning my office. _Rowell._ Do it at your peril! _Hosea._ No: I shall do it at my office. Ha, ha, ha! Why, I'm getting back into my old humor, thanks to the boy. What a head! I used to look in his face, and think I saw a fool. I was wrong: I should have looked in a glass. _Rowell._ I hope the farm will pay you better than it has me, Hiram. _Hiram._ No doubt it will. (_Aside._) If Miss Mattie Trueworth wants Trueworth Farm, she'll have to look this way. Come, dad! _Hosea._ Good-by, colonel: if you want your next mail, you'll have to come for it. (HIRAM _goes up, followed by_ HOSEA; _meet_ GAYLIE _and_ MATTIE _coming in_; MATTIE _comes down_ R., _is stopped by_ HIRAM; GAYLIE _speaks with_ HOSEA, L. C.) _Hiram._ Mattie, won't you make up? _Mattie._ No, sir: I have higher aspirations.