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

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

    /**
     *  @private
     */
    private var _widthInChars:Number = 20;

    /**
     *  @private
