human
Good-day, said he;
gpt
I was goin' right by, an' I thought I'd stop an' see if you want to do anything about them old pines o' yourn.
human
I don't know's I do, Mr. Ferris,
gpt
Well, that business is easy finished, said the contractor, with a careless air and a slight look of disappointment.
human
Just as you say, sir. You was full of it a spell ago, and I kind o' kep' the matter in mind. It ain't no plot o' mine, 'cept to oblige you. I don't want to move my riggin' nowhere for the sake o' two trees--one tree, you might say; there ain't much o' anything but fire-wood in the sprangly one. I shall end up over on the Foss lot next week, an' then I'm goin' right up country quick 's I can, before the snow begins to melt.
gpt
You don't want 'em blowin' down, breakin' all to pieces right on to your grass-land. They'd spile pretty near an acre fallin' in some o' them spring gales. Them old trees is awful brittle. If you're ever calc'latin' to sell 'em, now's your time; the sprangly one's goin' back a'ready. They take the goodness all out o' that part o' your field, anyway,
human
I don't know's I care; I can maintain them two trees,
gpt
Come, I mean business. I'll tell you what I'll do: if you want to trade, I'll give you seventy-five dollars for them two trees, and it's an awful price. Buyin' known trees like them's like tradin' for a tame calf; you'd let your forty-acre piece go without no fuss. Don't mind what folks say. They're yourn, John; or ain't they?
human
I'd just as soon be rid on 'em; they've got to come down some time, said Packer, stung by this bold taunt.
gpt
I ain't goin' to give you a present o' half their value, for all o' that.
human
You can't handle 'em yourself, nor nobody else about here; there ain't nobody got proper riggin' to handle them butts but me. I've got to take 'em down for ye fur's I can see, said Ferris, looking sly, and proceeding swiftly from persuasion to final arrangements.
gpt
It's some like gittin' a tooth hauled; you kind o' dread it, but when 't is done you feel like a man. I ain't said nothin' to nobody, but I hoped you'd do what you was a-mind to with your own property. You can't afford to let all that money rot away; folks won't thank ye.
human
What you goin' to give for 'em? asked John Packer impatiently.
gpt
Come, I can't talk all day.
human
I'm a-goin' to give you seventy-five dollars in bank-bills,
gpt
I ain't a-goin' to take it, if you be,