"No, no," he said, "all 't I did was to propose the thing to ye, an' to put up a little money fer two three days.

I didn't take no chances, an' it's all right, an' it's your'n, an' it makes ye to a certain extent independent of Homeville." "I don't quite see it so," said John.
"Wa'al," said David, turning to him, "if you'd had as much five years ago you wouldn't 'a' come here, would ye ?" John was silent.
"What I was leadin' up to," resumed Mr.Harum after a moment, "is this: I ben thinkin' about it fer some time, but I haven't wanted to speak to ye about it before.

In fact, I might 'a' put it off some longer if things wa'n't as they are, but the fact o' the matter is that I'm goin' to take down my sign." John looked at him in undisguised amazement, not unmixed with consternation.
"Yes," said David, obviously avoiding the other's eye, "'David Harum, Banker,' is goin' to come down.

I'm gettin' to be an' old man," he went on, "an' what with some investments I've got, an' a hoss-trade once in a while, I guess I c'n manage to keep the fire goin' in the kitchin stove fer Polly an' me, an' the' ain't no reason why I sh'd keep my sign up much of any longer.

Of course," he said, "if I was to go on as I be now I'd want ye to stay jest as you are; but, as I was sayin', you're to a consid'able extent independent.