Full Download PDF of Test Bank For Fundamentals of Economics, 6th Edition: William Boyes All Chapter
Full Download PDF of Test Bank For Fundamentals of Economics, 6th Edition: William Boyes All Chapter
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5. Private property rights are important because
a. they create incentives for people to improve their standard of living.
b. the Constitution says so.
c. they allow students to choose their major field of study in college.
d. an economy cannot grow without them.
e. all of these
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Ownership KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
6. GDP per capita is one way to measure an economy's growth. China and India began to progress when
they allowed private ownership, in about ____. Since then there has been steady, strong growth in
these economies.
a. 1960
b. 1970
c. 1980
d. 1990
e. 2000
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Ownership KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
8. Sonia works at a restaurant where tips are pooled and divided equally. Anna works at a different
restaurant where she keeps the tips her customers leave for her. Which of the following is true?
a. Both work equally hard because their hourly wage from the employer is low, and they can
make up for this with tips
b. Sonia works harder, because she receives the same amount of tips as other workers.
c. Anna works harder, because she works at an expensive restaurant.
d. Anna works harder because her tips are her private property.
e. It's impossible to say without more information.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Ownership KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
9. The main reason villagers in Xiaogang produced more rice than those in surrounding villages was
a. they had better farmland.
b. they were given better seeds.
c. they were able to keep the output they produced individually.
d. they made each family responsible for a certain, higher quota
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Ownership KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
10. In 1981, in San Francisco Solano, Argentina, about 1,800 families took over a piece of wasteland. The
resulting houses varied greatly, based on whether the residents received title. Those who received title
also behaved differently, having fewer children, and the children experienced more education and
better health. This is an example of (the results from)
a. Scarcity
b. Economic growth
c. Economic freedom
d. Private property rights
e. Quality of life
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Ownership KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
14. Scarcity
a. ensures people become satisfied with less than they want.
b. exists only during a recession.
c. exists only in some countries.
d. affects only poor people.
e. requires people to make choices.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Scarcity and Opportunity Costs KEY: BLOOM'S: Evaluation
15. Which of the following is not a limitation one faces when shopping for clothes?
a. The amount of time available to shop
b. One's budget
c. The various styles that are available
d. The store's selection
e. The freedom to make rational choices
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Scarcity and Opportunity Costs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Evaluation
20. Economics is
a. concerned with the problem of scarce resources combined with unlimited wants.
b. the study of how to make money in the stock market.
c. highly theoretical and has little practical application.
d. primarily concerned with day-to-day business decision making.
e. a decision making process involving individuals and firms rather than governments.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Scarcity and Opportunity Costs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
31. Which of the following sayings best represents the concept of opportunity costs?
a. "A glass can be half empty or half full."
b. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
c. "There is no such thing as a free lunch."
d. "No taxation without representation."
e. "What's up?"
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
32. Which economic concept is the closest parallel to the saying, "There's no such thing as a free lunch"?
a. Specialization
b. Unlimited wants
c. Underutilization of resources
d. Opportunity costs
e. Overutilization of resources
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Evaluation
33. The opportunity cost of studying economics tonight at the library does not include
a. the good time you could be having by going out with your friends.
b. the time you could be spending studying for your history class.
c. your lost sleep.
d. the time you could be spending listening to music or watching television.
e. the higher grade you might earn on the next economics test.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Evaluation
35. What economic concept is illustrated by the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too"?
a. Private property rights
b. Economic freedom
c. Scarcity
d. Opportunity cost
e. Gains from trade
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Evaluation
36. Jane wins $100,000 in the lottery and immediately uses her winnings to open a donut shop. Her direct
costs for the first year are $50,000. Alternatively, Jane could have placed her lottery winnings in a
savings account earning 10 percent annual interest. Jane's total cost is
a. $60,000.
b. $50,000.
c. $160,000.
d. $45,000.
e. $55,000.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: The Definition Of Economics KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
37. Ronnie waits one hour in line to buy a ticket to a rock concert. The opportunity cost of buying the $28
ticket
a. is Ronnie's best alternative use of the $28.
b. is Ronnie's best alternative use of the one hour it took to wait in line.
c. is the value of the $28 to the ticket agent.
d. is Ronnie's best alternative use of both the $28 and the one hour spent in line.
e. cannot be measured because there is no opportunity cost associated with consumption.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: The Definition Of Economics KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
38. If you must make a choice about consuming two apples, three oranges, or one candy bar, the
opportunity cost of the candy bar is
a. two apples.
b. three oranges.
c. two apples and three oranges.
d. two apples or three oranges, whichever you most prefer.
e. the difference in the prices of the three options.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: The Definition Of Economics KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
41. Which of the following should not be considered an opportunity cost of attending college?
a. Money spent on living expenses that are the same whether or not you attend college
b. Lost salary
c. Business lunches
d. Interest that could have been earned on your money had you put the money into a savings
account rather than spent it on tuition
e. Opportunities sacrificed in the decision to attend college
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
42. It is inappropriate to assume that accounting costs are equal to total costs of a particular item or
activity because
a. accounting costs do not necessarily include the forgone benefits of the next-best
alternative.
b. total costs are expressed only in monetary terms.
c. accounting costs include opportunity costs.
d. accounting costs overstate the tradeoffs involved.
e. total costs do not include direct, out-of-pocket expenses.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
43. Nicky makes $25,000 a year as a sales clerk. He then decides to quit his job to enter an MBA program
full-time (assume Nicky does not work in the summer or hold any part-time jobs). His tuition, books,
living expenses, and fees total $15,000 a year. Given this information, the annual total cost of Nicky's
MBA studies is
a. $10,000.
b. $25,000.
c. $15,000.
d. $40,000.
e. $35,000.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: The Definition Of Economics KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
56. Every society must deal with the problem of scarcity because
a. people do not have enough money to buy everything they need.
b. government taxes consumers too much.
c. human beings become satiated as consumption increases.
d. human wants are nearly unlimited relative to the availability of resources.
e. productive resources, technology, and labor are unlimited.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
60. People
a. tend to specialize in those activities in which their opportunity costs are minimized.
b. tend to specialize in those activities in which their opportunity costs are maximized.
c. never consider opportunity costs.
d. consider only direct costs.
e. do not behave in their own self-interest.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Specialization and Exchange
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
Table 1.1
62. According to the data in Table 1.1, the opportunity cost of a cookie in Iowa is
a. 8 chilies.
b. 96 chilies.
c. chili.
d. less than in Ohio.
e. the same as in Ohio.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
63. According to the data in Table 1.1, the opportunity cost of chili in Ohio is
a. the same as in Iowa.
b. cookie.
c. 4 cookies.
d. cookie.
e. 8 cookies.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
65. According to the data in Table 1.1, if trade were to occur, what would be the least amount Ohio would
be willing to accept for 1 cookie?
a. 8 chilies
b. of a chili
c. of a chili
d. 4 chilies
e. 12 chilies
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
66. According to the data in Table 1.1, if trade were to occur, what would be the most Ohio would be
willing to pay for 1 chili?
a. 4 cookies
b. 8 cookies
c. of a cookie
d. of a cookie
e. 6 cookies
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
Table 1.2
67. According to the data in Table 1.2, if trade were to occur, which of the following is true?
a. Country X should export coffee to country Y, but the two countries should not exchange
sugar.
b. Country X should export coffee to country Y, and country Y should export sugar to
country X.
c. Country X should export sugar to country Y, and country Y should export coffee to
country X.
d. Country X should export sugar and coffee to country Y.
e. Country Y should export sugar and coffee to country X.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
68. According to the data in Table 1.2, if trade were to occur, what is the most country X would be willing
to pay for 1 unit of sugar?
a. 1 unit of coffee
b. 1 units of coffee
c. unit of coffee
d. 200 units of coffee
e. unit of coffee
69. According to the data in Table 1.2, if trade were to occur, what is the least country Y would be willing
to accept for 1 unit of sugar?
a. 1 unit of coffee
b. 1 units of coffee
c. unit of coffee
d. 200 units of coffee
e. unit of coffee
70. In Table 1.2, assume that before specialization and trade, both countries were producing at production
possibility C. If each country specializes according to comparative advantage, what will be the gains
from trade?
a. 20 units of sugar and 10 units of coffee
b. 20 units of coffee and 10 units of sugar
c. 20 units of coffee
d. 10 units of sugar
e. 80 units of coffee and 90 units of sugar
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
Table 1.3
Table 1.3
Labor Hours Required In In
to Produce 1 Gallon of Maine New Hampshire
Grape juice 1 hour 9 hours
Apple juice 5 hours 6 hours
71. According to the data in Table 1.3, Maine has an absolute advantage in producing
a. both grape juice and apple juice.
b. only grape juice.
c. only apple juice.
d. neither grape juice nor apple juice.
e. There is not enough information to say.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
72. According to Table 1.3, the opportunity cost of producing 1 gallon of grape juice in Maine is
a. 5 gallons of apple juice.
b. gallon of apple juice.
c. 5 gallons of grape juice.
d. 6 gallons of apple juice.
e. gallon of apple juice.
73. According to the data in Table 1.3, New Hampshire has a comparative advantage in producing
a. neither good.
b. grape juice.
c. both apple juice and grape juice.
d. apple juice.
e. There is not enough information to say.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
74. According to the data in Table 1.3, the opportunity cost of producing 1 gallon of grape juice in New
Hampshire is ____ gallon(s) of apple juice.
a. 1.33
b.
c. 1.5
d. 6
e.
Figure 1.1
75. Suppose that points A and B in Figure 1.1 represent pre-trade positions. If each country specializes
according to comparative advantage, what are the potential gains to trade?
a. 6 cars
b. 6 cars and 6 units of food
c. 6 units of food
d. 4 units of food
e. 12 cars
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
76. According to Figure 1.1, if trade occurs, what is the most Germany would be willing to pay for 1 unit
of food?
a. 1 car
b. 2 cars
c. car
d. 20 cars
e. 10 cars
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
77. According to Figure 1.1, if trade occurs, what is the least Korea would be willing to accept for 1 unit
of food?
a. 1 car
b. 2 cars
c. car
d. 20 cars
e. 10 cars
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
Scenario 1.1
Alan and Brian work at a baseball and softball manufacturing plant. Alan can produce either 10
baseballs or 4 softballs in an hour. Brian can produce either 8 baseballs or 2 softballs in an hour.
79. According to Scenario 1.1, the opportunity cost for Brian to produce 1 softball is
a. 4 baseballs.
b. less than the opportunity cost for Alan to produce 1 softball.
c. baseball.
d. 2 baseballs.
e. baseball.
80. According to Scenario 1.1, the opportunity cost for Alan to produce 1 baseball is
a. softball.
b. softball.
c. less than the opportunity cost of Brian to produce 1 baseball.
d. 2 softballs.
e. 4 softballs.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
81. According to Scenario 1.1, Brian has a comparative advantage over Alan in the production of
a. softballs.
b. both softballs and baseballs.
c. neither softballs nor baseballs.
d. baseballs.
e. softballs if he makes no more than 2 an hour.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging NAT: BPROG: Analytic
TOP: Specialization and Exchange KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
Figure 1.2
82. The PPC in Figure 1.2 indicates a student who
a. is better at economics than English.
b. is better at English than economics.
c. is equally proficient in economics and English.
d. prefers economics over English.
e. prefers English over economics.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Analytic TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
Table 1.4
84. According to the production possibilities schedule in Table 1.4, which of the following statements is
true?
a. This economy could produce 100 units of good A and 20 units of good B.
b. The opportunity cost of producing more of good A decreases as the amount of good A
produced increases.
c. The opportunity cost of producing more of good B decreases as the amount of good B
produced increases.
d. This economy could produce 70 units of good A and 40 units of good B.
e. If this economy were to fully and efficiently employ all its resources, it could provide 100
units of good A and 80 units of good B.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Analytic TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
85. According to the production possibilities schedule in Table 1.4, which of the following statements is
true?
a. If one moves from choice 2 to choice 3, the opportunity cost of 20 more units of good B is
20 units of good A.
b. There are increasing opportunity costs associated with getting more of good B.
c. If one moves from choice 3 to choice 4, the opportunity cost of 20 more units of good B is
30 units of good A.
d. If one moves from choice 1 to choice 2, the opportunity cost of 20 more units of good B is
10 units of good A.
e. All of these
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Analytic TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
86. Assume that our national economy is operating at a point on its bowed-out production possibilities
curve. According to the production possibilities schedule in Table 1.4, if our nation produces more
consumer goods (good A), then
a. it must sacrifice larger and larger amounts of investment goods (good B) to do so.
b. the value of investment goods that must be forgone decreases.
c. the resources transferred will be increasingly efficient in producing those consumer goods.
d. it must have a comparative advantage in the production of consumer goods (good A).
e. we will experience a greater rate of economic growth.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Analytic TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Evaluation
87. When an economy is operating on its production possibilities curve, more production of one good
means less production of another because
a. resources are limited.
b. resources are not perfectly adaptable to alternative uses.
c. wants are limited.
d. wants are unlimited.
e. some resources are not employed.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
Figure 1.3
88. In Figure 1.3, underutilization of resources is represented by point
a. A.
b. B.
c. C.
d. D.
e. E.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Analytic TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
89. In Figure 1.3, which of the following points would best enhance future production (that is, which point
would be best for investment purposes)?
a. Point A
b. Point B
c. Point C
d. Point D
e. Point E
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Challenging OBJ: N/A
NAT: BPROG: Analytic TOP: Working with Graphs
KEY: BLOOM'S: Application
TRUE/FALSE
93. Economists are concerned with ways global production could increase.
96. Diamonds are more expensive than water because diamonds are a necessity of life.
97. A limitation one faces when shopping for clothes is the amount of time available to shop.
100. A positive (nonzero) price for a good means there is a surplus of that good.
101. Choices must be made because of scarcity; people do not have enough time or money to get everything
they want.
102. According to economic analysis, in making a decision, an individual compares the benefits expected
from one option with the benefits expected from other options.
104. If you have a choice about consuming bundle X or bundle Y, the opportunity cost of consuming
bundle X is bundle Y.
105. If you must make a choice about consuming two apples, three oranges, or one candy bar, the
opportunity cost of the two apples is the candy bar plus the three oranges.
106. An example of an opportunity cost is the time you forgo to eat a "free lunch."
107. The opportunity cost of going to the movies is always the same for everyone.
ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
NAT: BPROG: Reflective Thinking TOP: The Definition Of Economics
KEY: BLOOM'S: Knowledge
108. The total cost of attending college is the sum of the cost of tuition, books, housing, and meals.
109. When you work to support your lifestyle, you are making a tradeoff.
110. Specialization according to comparative advantage followed by trade, that is, the exchange of goods
produced, allows everyone to acquire more of the goods they want.
Spot Easton was not in a happy frame of mind at all. His ear had
swollen to twice its normal size and had assumed the shade of a
pickled beet. It not only pained him, but it hurt his pride; he was not
in the habit of getting the worst of a personal encounter.
The evening business of the War-Bonnet was beginning to be
audible to Spot, who was sequestered in his little private room in the
rear. A half-empty whisky bottle decorated the table beside him, and
his jaws were clamped tightly over a badly frayed cigar, which
smoked much from the wrong end. He jerked it out of his mouth,
cursed and hurled it across the room where it continued to throw up
a streamer of smoke.
Just then, without any warning, the door swung open and
Lonesome Lee staggered in. The old man was gloriously drunk, but
tried to brace up when he faced Easton.
“Sus-somebody said you wanted to shee me,” he muttered thickly.
“Yes; you lousy old bum!” snapped Easton, kicking a chair away
from the table.
Lonesome eased himself shakily into the chair and sprawled
weakly.
“Where’s that letter?” demanded Easton.
“Tha’ letter?” Lonesome grinned foolishly. “Wha’ letter?”
“The one you got today. The letter—oh, ——!”
Lonesome had emitted a long-drawn snore and his head sank
slowly until his chin was buried in his collar.
Spot Easton shoved away from the table and, going over to
Lonesome, proceeded to go through the old man’s pockets. He
shook Lonesome, but the old man continued to snore loudly.
Spot caressed his aching ear, while he reviled Lonesome with
every foul epithet his tongue could command. Tiring of that, he drank
half of the remaining liquor, threw the bottle across the room, and sat
down again.
Then came Jack Blue. He too was a privileged character and did
not wait to knock on the door. He squinted at Lonesome and sat on
the edge of the table.
“Why don’t you have Doc Clevis fix up yore ear?” he asked,
noticing that Easton was fingering the sore organ.
“That —— veterinary!” exploded Easton.
“Doc could take out the soreness.”
“I’m —— if he could!” rasped Easton. “Only one thing’d take the
soreness out of that ear, and that’s to notch a sight on that long-
geared misfit that hit me.”
“He’s a fresh whippoorwill, all right,” admitted Blue. “Never seen
anybody with the gall he’s got. Somebody’s due to make jerky out of
his tongue.”
“Y’betcha,” agreed Easton, “and I’m him.”
Blue jerked his head toward the sleeping Lonesome——
“Did he have that letter, Spot?”
“Naw!”
“That puncher still got it?”
Spot looked very disconsolate, but did not answer.
“What was in it, do you reckon?”
“How’d I know?”
Blue gnawed off an enormous chew of tobacco and moved to a
chair.
“’F he’s still got the letter I’ll git it for you tomorrow, Spot.”
“How?”
“Law requires that I search all prisoners, tha’s why.”
“Thasso?” Spot Easton grew interested. “You goin’ to put him in
jail?”
“I sure as —— am. More’n that, I’m goin’ to put the both of ’em in
jail, along with old man Skelton.”
“How you goin’ to make it look right?”
Blue spat copiously and grinned at the ceiling.
“That was old Skelton’s rifle which they found beside the drunk
Swede.”
“Skelton’s rifle? And he brought it to you?”
“Nope. I went past there yesterday and I dropped in to call on
Skelton—knowin’ he was in town.”
“And swiped his rifle?”
“Uh-huh. Belonged to old Bill Wheeler, and she’s got a li’l 33 cut
into the forearm. She’s a cinch to hang it onto Skelton, and I can
hold them other two—easy.”
Easton laughed and got to his feet.
“You’re clever, Jake. Let’s go and get a drink.”
“I sure am.”
Blue was not adverse to applauding himself. Being a sheriff in
Lodge-Pole county entailed too much danger for the remuneration;
so nobody cared much about a sheriff’s morals—or methods.
Easton gazed approvingly upon the amount of activity within the
four walls of the War-Bonnet, as he led the sheriff to the bar. The
click of dice, the rattle of poker chips and the droning voices of
dealers was sweet music to Easton’s ears.
A number of men were standing at the bar, but Easton and Blue
ignored them. Two cowboys were shaking dice on the bar-top at
Easton’s right hand.
“’At’s horse ’n horse,” declared one of them. “One flop, Sleepy.”
Easton shot a sidewise look at the speaker. It was the tall cowboy,
who had hit him on the ear, standing elbow to elbow with him; intent
on his dice shaking.
Easton slowly turned his head and looked at Blue, who was toying
with his glass of liquor. The dice rattled.
“You’re stuck!” exclaimed Hashknife.
Easton jerked his head around and looked square into Hashknife’s
face.
“How’s the ear?” asked Hashknife.
The question placed Easton in an embarrassing position. He could
not see Hashknife’s right hand, and his own hands were on the bar.
Blue squinted past Easton’s shoulder at Hashknife, and Hashknife
grinned at him.
Sleepy leaned forward on the bar and craned his neck around
Hashknife.
“I hope to die, if I ain’t terror-stricken!” he gasped. “We’ve been
told that it’s fash’nable to be plumb scared of Mister Easton; so we
turns pale, politely.”
Easton tore his eyes away from Hashknife’s grinning face and
looked straight into the back-bar. His mind worked swiftly, but got
nowhere. He was being insulted in his own house. Jake Blue leaned
away from the bar, as if to move into the crowd, but Sleepy stepped
around behind Hashknife and Blue leaned back against the bar.
“Where’s the old man—old Lonesome Lee?” asked Hashknife.
Easton turned quickly.
“What do you want of him?”
“Want to give him that letter,” explained Hashknife.
“Oh!” Easton’s grunt seemed to relieve him.
“’F he ain’t around here, mebbe you could take care of it for him,
eh?”
“Sheriff’s nervous,” interrupted Sleepy. “’Pears to have a itch on
his hip. Likely comes from a callous caused by packin’ such a heavy
gun.”
Jake Blue scowled, but said nothing.
“I’ll give him the letter,” nodded Easton, trying to not appear too
eager to be of service.
Hashknife’s concealed right hand flipped the letter to the bar in
front of Easton and dropped back. Easton picked up the letter and
started to put it in his vest-pocket, but Hashknife stopped him.
“Whoa, Blaze!”
Easton stared at him wonderingly, as Hashknife motioned for him
to stop.
“Not in a vest-pocket, pardner. Put it in your side pants-pocket, if
you don’t mind. That’s the only pocket where a tin-horn gambler
don’t pack a derringer.”
Easton scowled and shoved the letter into the designated pocket.
He wondered if this tall cowpuncher was a mind reader, and knew
that he was going to use the letter as an excuse to get at the two-
barreled derringer in his vest-pocket.
“’F you don’t stop hankerin’ t’ scratch—” Sleepy’s voice held a note
of menace—“’f you don’t, I’m goin’ to get a piece of sandpaper and
give you one good curryin’, Mister Sheriff. Ain’tcha ashamed to
scratch thataway in comp’ny?”
“By ——, I’m tired of this!” wailed the exasperated Mr. Blue.
“Who’re you, anyway, I’d like to know? What right you got to tell me
when I can scratch and when I can’t?”
“I’m just teachin’ you how to act polite, ain’t I?” complained Sleepy.
“Gee cripes, you sure do act peevish over learnin’ things. ’F I was
you——”
“Don’t tease the li’l gent, Sleepy,” Hashknife said, chuckling. “His
chilblains has likely extended up to his hips. You know how cold feet
makes you itch.”
Hashknife kept his eyes on Easton, while talking direct to Sleepy,
and he saw a flash of relief come over Easton’s face. A man had
stepped in behind him, brushing against Hashknife’s right elbow, and
Easton’s eyes had followed this man.
The conversation had been even lower than ordinary and had
attracted no attention.
The coroner’s inquest over the remains of Quinin Quinn caused little
excitement in Caldwell. The fact that Quinin was dead was enough in
itself; who killed him, was merely conjectured and Lodge-Pole county
felt that it would remain so, according to precedent.
The jury listened patiently to Hashknife, Sleepy and Skelton, while
Doc Clevis, puffing with his own importance, crossquestioned them.