Damer: It is not full!  It is not!  Whisper now.  It is many a time I thought it to be full, full at last, full at last!

Simon: And it wasn’t after?

Damer: To take it and to shake it I do.  It is often I gave myself a promise the time there will be no sound from it, I will give in to nourish myself, I will rise out of misery.  But every time I will try it, I will hear a little clatter that tells me there is some space left; some small little hole or gap.

Simon: What signifies that when you have so much in it?

Damer: Weightier it gets and weightier, but there will always be that little sound.  I thought to stop it one time, putting in a fistful of hayseed; but I felt in my heart that was not dealing fair and honest with myself, and I rose up and shook it out again, rising up from my bed in the night time.  I near got my death with the cold and the draught fell on me doing that.

Simon: It is best for me be going on where I might find my bed,

Damer: Hearken now.  I am old and the long road behind me.  You are young and in your strength.  It is you is rich, it is I myself that is poor.  You know well, you to get the offer, you would not change your lot with my own.

Simon: I suppose I might not.  I’d as lief keep my countenance and my run.

Darner: Isn’t it a great pity there to be that hollow within in my gallon, and the little coin that would likely just fill it up, to be going out of the house?

Simon: Is it that you are asking it of me?

Damer: You might never find so good a way to open Heaven to yourself with a charity.  To be bringing peace to an old man that has not long to live in the world!  You wouldn’t think now how quiet I would sleep, and the good dreams would be going through me, and that gallon jar to be full and to make no sound the time I would roll it on the floor.  That would be a great deed for one little pound piece to do!

Simon: I’ll toss you for it.

Damer: I would not dare put anything at all upon a chance.

Simon: Leave it alone so. (Turns away.)

Damer:  (Seizing him.) It would make such a good appearance in the little gap!

Simon: Head or harp?

Damer: No, I’m in dread I might lose.

Simon: Take your chance or leave it.

Damer: I to lose, you may kill me on the moment!  My heart is driven down in the sole of my shoe!

Simon: That is poor courage.

Damer: There is some shiver forewarning me I will lose!  I made a strong oath I never would give in again to try any sort of chance.

Simon: You didn’t make it but with yourself.

Damer: It was through my luck leaving me I swore against betting and gaming.

Simon: It might turn back fresh and hearty where you gave it so long a rest.