“The widow began to think it was high time to cry, so she took out her handkerchief, and inquired whether Tom wished to insult her, whether he thought it like a gentleman to take away the character of another gentleman behind his back, why, if he had got anything to say, he didn’t say it to the man, like a man, instead of terrifying a poor weak woman in that way; and so forth.

“ ‘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 want money. ’Tain’t that.’