'And what will you give me for my half ?' asked he.
'Give you!' exclaimed Jack, brightening up.

'Give you! Let me see,' continued he, pretending to consider--'Puff's rich--Puff's a liberal fellow--Puff's a conceited beggar--mix it strong,' said Jack, 'and I'll give you ten pounds.' 'Make it twelve,' replied Sponge, after a pause.
If Jack had said twelve.

Sponge would have asked fourteen.
'Couldn't,' said Jack, with a shake of the head; 'it really isn't with (worth) the money.' The two then rode on in silence for some little distance.
'I'll tell you what I'll do,' said Jack, spurring his horse, and trotting up the space that the other had now shot ahead.

'I'll split the difference with you!' 'Well, give me the sov.,' said Sponge, holding out his hand for earnest.
'Why, I haven't a sov.

upon me,' replied Jack; 'but, honour bright, I'll do what I say.' 'Give me eleven golden sovereigns for my chance,' repeated Sponge slowly, in order that there might be no mistake.
'Eleven golden sovereigns for your chance,' repeated Jack.
'Done!' replied Sponge.
'Done!' repeated Jack.
'Let's jog on and do it at once while the thing's fresh in our minds,' said Jack, working his horse into a trot.
Sponge did the same; and the grass-siding of Orlantire Parkwall favouring their design, they increased the trot to a canter.