286 THE LAND OF PLUCK

He added the numbers together, and they amounted in
all to forty-two thousand dollars.

“There, Hal,” said Uncle Ben, “don’t you think you
are foolish not to take to some of my offers ?”

“ No, sir, I don’t,” answered Hal resolutely.

“Then,” said Uncle Ben, “you talk of being poor, and
by your own showing you have treasures that you ‘Il not
take forty-two thousand dollars for. What do you say to
that?”

Hal did n’t know exactly what to say; so he laughed
and blushed for a second, and then with shining eyes
exclaimed :

“Why, I’m awful rich! all of us — you and Mama and
everybody ! but Uncle —’

“Well, sir?”

“Why, Johnny Lewis has got ’em too — besides the gold
watch and the money in his pockets and everything !”

 

for,
to tell the truth, he was a little taken aback (as he after-

“My stars!” cried Uncle Ben in great surprise

ward confessed to me, in confidence) —“ Well, what ’s going
to be done about it?”

“Nothing,” said Hal, rosy with joy as he strode about,
proud of his legs, his muscle, and all his possessions—
“Tt’s all right
out.”

 

everybody ’s rich enough after they find it

“Right you are,” said Uncle Ben, quietly slipping from
the room.