"Makes a durned good road, 'cept when
there's a freshet. It would cost a hull lot o' money to build a road
as good as this-un."
"I was only thinking 'twould save a mile and more," said O'Dowd.
"What's the use o' him savin' a mile, er ten miles, fer that matter,
when he never puts foot out'n the house?" said Peter, the logician.
"Well, then," persisted O'Dowd testily, "he ought to consider the
saving in gasolene."
Peter's reply was a grunt.
They came in time, after many "hair-pins" and right angles, to the
gate opening upon the highway. Peter got down from the seat to release
the pad-locked chain and throw open the gate.
O'Dowd leaned closer to Barnes and lowered his voice.
"See here, Barnes, I'm no fool, and for that reason I've got sense
enough to know that you're not either. I don't know what's in your
mind, nor what you're trying to get into it if it isn't already there.
But I'll say this to you, man to man: don't let your imagination get
the better of your common-sense. That's all. Take the tip from me."
"I am not imagining anything, O'Dowd," said Barnes quietly. "What do
you mean?"
"I mean just what I say. I'm giving you the tip for selfish reasons.
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