"Looks like the old fool was mighty careless with his money.

Couldn't he have put down another item to cover that forty dollars ?" "I believe that margin was left purposely to take care of a possible advance in prices over those with which your father was familiar at the time he made out the list," she answered, smiling in appreciation of his perturbation.
"That's keepin' cases pretty close, ain't it ?" he said.

"Suppose I'd blow the whole business ?" "That would show that you could not be trusted.

Your father left instructions which provide for that contingency." "What are they ?" "I am not to tell." "Clever, ain't it ?" he said, looking at her with displeased, hostile eyes.

She met his gaze with a calm half-smile which had in it that irritating quality of advantage that he had noticed before.
"I am glad you think it clever," she returned.
"It was your idea, I reckon ?" "I believe I did suggest it to your father.