“ ‘I’ll say it to him fast enough,’ said Tom, ‘only I want you to hear it first.’

“ ‘What is it?’ inquired the widow, looking intently in Tom’s countenance.

“ ‘I’ll astonish you,’ said Tom, putting his hand in his pocket.

“ ‘If it is, that he wants money,’ said the widow, ‘I know that already, and you needn’t trouble yourself.’

“ ‘Pooh, nonsense, that’s nothing,’ said Tom Smart, ‘

I