The Gilded Age


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"Well, yes; yes--I don't know but I have. But anyway, the longer it's  
delayed, the nearer it grows to the time when it will start--same as  
every day you live brings you nearer to--nearer--"  
"The grave?"  
"
Well, no--not that exactly; but you can't understand these things, Polly  
dear--women haven't much head for business, you know. You make  
yourself  
perfectly comfortable, old lady, and you'll see how we'll trot this right  
along. Why bless you, let the appropriation lag, if it wants to--that's  
no great matter--there's a bigger thing than that."  
"
"
Bigger than $200,000, Beriah?"  
Bigger, child?--why, what's $200,000? Pocket money! Mere pocket money!  
Look at the railroad! Did you forget the railroad? It ain't many months  
till spring; it will be coming right along, and the railroad swimming  
right along behind it. Where'll it be by the middle of summer? Just  
stop and fancy a moment--just think a little--don't anything suggest  
itself? Bless your heart, you dear women live right in the present all  
the time--but a man, why a man lives----  
"In the future, Beriah? But don't we live in the future most too much,  
Beriah? We do somehow seem to manage to live on next year's crop of corn  
and potatoes as a general thing while this year is still dragging along,  
279  


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277 278 279 280 281

Quick Jump
1 170 341 511 681