Billy was the only person whom Bangs felt he could trust in his shop , and Billy was trained to hunt eggs , and hand them over unbroken , being quite satisfied with an apple or a sugar-plum for wages . The morning after Dan 's gloomy Sunday , Billy said to his employer , as he displayed the results of a long hunt , `` Only two . '' `` It gets worse and worse ; I never saw such provoking old hens , '' growled Tommy , thinking of the days when he often had six to rejoice over . `` Well , put 'em in my hat and give me a new bit of chalk ; I must mark 'em up , any way . '' Billy mounted a peck-measure , and looked into the top of the machine , where Tommy kept his writing materials . `` There 's lots of money in here , '' said Billy . `` No , there is n't . Catch me leaving my cash round again , '' returned Tommy . `` I see 'em one , four , eight , two dollars , '' persisted Billy , who had not yet mastered the figures correctly . `` What a jack you are ! '' and Tommy hopped up to get the chalk for himself , but nearly tumbled down again , for there actually were four bright quarters in a row , with a bit of paper on them directed to `` Tom Bangs , '' that there might be no mistake . `` Thunder turtles ! '' cried Tommy , and seizing them he dashed into the house , bawling wildly , `` It 's all right ! Got my money ! Where 's Nat ? '' He was soon found , and his surprise and pleasure were so genuine that few doubted his word when he now denied all knowledge of the money . `` How could I put it back when I did n't take it ? Do believe me now , and be good to me again , '' he said , so imploringly , that Emil slapped him on the back , and declared he would for one . `` So will I , and I 'm jolly glad it 's not you . But who the dickens is it ? ''
said XXXXX , after shaking hands heartily with Nat .
Bangs Billy Dan Emil Tommy days dollars peck-measure right sugar-plum