     /**
      *  @private
      */
-    private var _widthInChars:int = 20;
+    private var _widthInChars:Number = 20;
 
     /**
      *  @private

     *
     *  @default
     */
    public function get widthInChars():int
    {
        return _widthInChars;
    }

    /**
     *  @private
     */
    public function set widthInChars(value:Number):void
    {
        if (value == _widthInChars)
            return;
