ou have, Lorry, haven't you? Well, I can't
wonder. I've been doing my best for all the years of my life to implant
that idea in your mind. But, what about you? What are you at, yourself?
You said you had a plan."

"He asks what I'm 'at,'" remarked Belden Lorimer to the rural landscape
through which the car was passing. "Ever know me to be 'at' anything?
It's as much as I can do to support life until I can be off on my next
little travel-plan. It's me for a leisurely cruise around the world, in
the governor's little old boat--the _Ariel_--painted up within an inch
of her life, brass all shining, lockers filled, a first-class cook
engaged, and a brand-new skipper and crew--picked men. Sounds pretty
good to me. How about you? Shop keeping in it with that, me lord?"

His usually languid glance was sharp, as he eyed his friend.

"Jove!" ejaculated Richard Kendrick, under his breath.

"I thought so. 'Jove!' it is, too--and also Jupiter! You've always said
you'd be ready when I was. Well, I'm ready."

Richard was silent for a long minute, while his friend waited
confidently. Then, "Good luck to you, old Lorry," he said. "It's mighty
fine of you to remember our ancient vow to do that trick some day. And
I'd like to go--you know that. But--I've a previous engagement."

"Not with that fool store up in the backwoods? Can't make me believe
that, you know."

Richard's face was a study.

"Believe it or not, it's a fact. That store is the joint property of
Benson & Company. I'm the Company. I can't desert my partner just as
we're getting the ground under our feet."

"Well--I'll--be--hanged," drawled Lorimer, more heavily than ever, as
was his custom when opposed, "if I see it. You go and help a fellow out
with capital and set him on his feet. You save his pride, I suppose, by
making yourself a partner. Fine, sporty thing to do. But you've done it.
You've contributed the capital. Can't reasonably suppose you
contribute anything else. If you don't mind my saying it,
your--previous--training--"

"Doesn't make me indispensable to the success of the business? Hardly,
as yet. But for the very reason that I lack training, I've got to stay
and get it."

"Take lessons in shopkeeping from Hugh Benson?"

"Exactly. And from Alf Carson. He's our manager."

"Don't know him. But from the way you allude to him I judge
he has the details at his fingers-ends. That's all right.
Leave--him--on--the--job."

"I will--and stay myself."