At length he broke out, after a long silence.
"Who are ye, I want to know?
How come you by these shells?
I know something about what they're wuth--that is--well, I know they aint wuth what you say they are, well enough; but they air wuth a good deal,--I know that.

What I want to understand is, what you're after here! What do you want, and why do you show me these things if--if--you come by them honestly.

Hey ?" The Skipper smiled meditatively.

"Yes!" he said, "we all like to know things,--part of our nature, sir--part of our nature.

I, now, I like to know things, too.