Part 13 (1/2)
”Not from thee. I have thy love.”
”And thine is mine. This is my plan. Above all things Boris loves a stirring, money-making business. I am going to ask him to take me as his partner. Tired am I of living on my past. How many boats has Boris?”
”Thou knowest he has but one, but she is large and swift, and does as much business as McLeod's three little sloops.”
”Schooners.”
”Schooners, then--little ones!”
”Well then, there is a new kind of boat which thou hast never seen.
She is driven by steam, not wind, she goes swiftly, all winds are fair to her, and she cares little for storms.”
”I saw a s.h.i.+p like that when I was in Edinburgh. She lay in Leith harbour, and the whole school went to Leith to see her come in.”
”If Boris will be my partner, I will lay my luck to his, and I will buy a steam s.h.i.+p, a large coaster--dost thou see?”
Then with a laugh she cried: ”I see, I see! Then thou can easily beat the sloops or schooners, that have nothing but sails. Good is that, very good!”
”Just so. We can make two trips for their one. No one can trade against us.”
”McLeod may buy steam s.h.i.+ps.”
”I have learned all about him. His fortune is in real estate, mostly in Edinburgh. It takes a lifetime to sell property in Edinburgh. We shall have got all there is to get before McLeod could compete with Vedder and Ragnor.”
”That scheme would please Boris, I know.”
”A boat could be built on the Clyde in about four months, I think.
Shall I speak to Boris?”
”Yes, Boris will not fly in the face of good fortune; but mind this--it is easier to begin that reel than it will be to end it. One thing I do not like--thou wert angry with Boris, now thou wilt take him for a partner.”
”At any time I can put my anger under my purse--but my anger was mostly against thee. Now shall I do as I am minded?”
”That way is more likely than not! I think this affair will grow with thee--but thou may change thy mind----”
”I do not call my words back. Go now to thy bed and forget everything.
This is the time when sleep will be better than either words or deeds.
Of my intent speak to _no one_. In thy thoughts let it be still until its hour arrives.”
”In the morning, very early, I am going to see Thora. When the enlisting s.h.i.+p sails northward, there will be a crowd to see her off.
Boris and Thora and Macrae will be among it. I also intend to be there. Dost thou know at what hour she will leave?”
”At ten o'clock the tide is full.”
”Then at ten, she will sail.”
”Likely enough, is that. Our talk is now ended. Let it be, as if it had not been.”
”I have forgotten it.”