"Why, seems to me he's kinder settin' up his will agin yours. You
say the fiddle shall be sold, and he says it shan't. He told me he
didn't care what you said, he should keep it."

"Did he say that, Nicholas?" asked the squire, who felt that his
dignity was outraged by such insolence.

"I'm sartain he did. He's pretty big feelin', Phil is. He always
wants to have his own way."

"He will find that he can't defy me with impunity," said the squire
stiffly.

"Just so. Then you'll sell me the fiddle?"

"I will!" said the squire emphatically.

"You won't ask too much, will you?" asked Nick anxiously.

Now Squire Pope, who knew nothing of the price of violins, and had a
very inadequate idea of their value, after some haggling on the part
of Nick, agreed to sell him the instrument for two dollars and a
half, and to see that it was delivered that evening.

"Do you know where it is, Nicholas?" he asked.

"Why, Phil is staying over at Frank Dunbar's, and I guess he's got
it there somewhere. I guess we'd better go over there and get it."

"Very well, Nicholas. After supper, if you will come to my house, I