human
You see, Ben, I could not have done so well. This is Anna Bell's idea and selection--I have told her so much of you she feels, in fact acts, as though she knew you as well as I do, but you will meet her soon and she will tell you about that herself. I never would have thought of the carpet, but she said carpet, and there was carpet,
gpt
I've got to leave to-night again on the _Fearsome_ and there is so much to tell you--something I want to ask you about.
human
Ben, why don't you say something--don't you like this?
gpt
Hiram, give me a little time--I was wondering how you managed so quickly to do all this----
human
There--that's better, said he, a relieved smile creeping about the upturned corners of his mouth.
gpt
I told you I didn't--I couldn't--have done it alone--you see, Ben, I am making three trips a week to Gulf port instead of two, and carrying enough general merchandise back to pay expenses, and then turning his chair so as to look squarely at me, he continued.
human
It is pouring prosperity, though we are making a willing, patriotic sacrifice while doing it, and we must hustle like sixty until the rain is over.
gpt
We are making money pretty fast now, but this won't last--I know now the logs in the river will disappear soon after we get at them again, and you know we have got to look ahead. I can buy a tract of timber up there at Gulfport--cheap--enough timber to keep us sawing for years. Now don't look so alarmed--it will take a lot of money, but we've got to do it if it is possible. I've opened a bank account here and talked to the president about it--but everything now is going into Liberty bonds and you can't blame them--but it's got to be done, Ben,
human
How much will it take, Hiram?
gpt
Now don't fall over when I tell you--that's why I got a big chair with a soft cushion, so that you could sustain a shock once in a while without injury. Ben, it will take about a hundred thousand dollars to get it, but it's got to come,
human
You have not forgotten, Hiram, that you must settle with the railroad for the engine in the _Fearsome_ and the sawmill, too?
gpt
I know we have, but I've got enough in the bank for that and more besides, he replied quickly.
human
What do you think, is it possible?
gpt
I don't know, Hiram; you are placing a pretty big order--we'll see--I don't believe I told you just how much I sold that barrel for, did I?
human
Yes, I know you will have the laugh on me as long as you live about that barrel; in fact, I will laugh myself every time I think of it even if I am at a funeral, but that couldn't happen again in a million years,