Part 24 (1/2)
Sir Archibald lifted his eyebrows--then pursed his lips The matter of credit was evidently to be proposed to him It was to be put, too, it seemed, in a business way Very well: Sir Archibald would deal with the question in a business way He felt a little thrill of pleasure--he was quite conscious of it It was delightful to have his only son in a business discussion, at the fa the s and the rain lashi+ng the panes Sir Archibald was a business rown to a coe This, after all, he reflected, hat he had been working for: To engage in business with his own son
”Then you want credit?” said he
”Look here, dad!” Archie burst out; ”of course, I want credit I'll tell you all about it,” he rattled anxiously ”We want--we means Billy Topsail, Jimmie Grimm, Donald North and me--they're all Ruddy Cove fellows, you knoant to charter the _On Time_ at Ruddy Cove, call her the _Spot Cash_, stock her cabin and hold--she's only a twenty-tonner--and shi+p Bill o' Burnt Bay for skipper and trade the ports of White Bay and the French Shore All the boys----”
[Illustration: ”--WE WANT TO CHARTER THE _ON TIME_ AND TRADE THE PORTS OF THE FRENCH Shore”]
”My traders,” Sir Archibald interrupted, quietly, ”are trading White Bay and the French Shore”
”I know it, dad,” Archie began eagerly, ”but----”
”Will you compete with them?” Sir Archibald asked, his eyes wide open
”The _Black Eagle_ sails north on a trading voyage in a fortnight
She's loading now”
”That's all right,” said Archie, blithely ”We're going to----”
”Encounter harsh coo about it?”
Archie had been fidgeting in his chair--hardly able to command his politeness
”A cash trader!” he burst out
”Ah!” Sir Archibald drawled, enlightened ”I see I see-ee!”
”We'll be the only cash trader on the coast, dad,” Archie continued; ”and we'll advertise--and carry a phonograph--and sell under the credit prices--and----”
Sir Archibald whistled in chagrin
”And we'll ood,” Archie concluded
”You little pirate!” Sir Archibald ejaculated
Father and son laughed together Then Sir Archibald began to druot up and began to pace the floor, his hands thrust deep in his pockets, his lips pursed, his brows drawn in a scowl of reflection This was a characteristic thing
Sir Archibald invariably paced, and pursed his lips, and scowled, when a probleed hiht_--there _ought_ to be--good profit in a cash-trading voyage in a small schooner to the harbours of White Bay and the French Shore There are no shops in o to the people in the forer ports of the more southerly coast It is in this way that the fisher-folk procure their flour and tea, their , their tackle, their , in fact, both the luxuries and necessities of life It is chiefly a credit business, the prices based on credit; the folk are outfitted in the spring and pay in salt-cod in the late su the credit plan, do well on the coast in a s, Sir Archibald sat down at the desk again
”How rip on the arood deal of resolution to utter the amount
”Well, well?” Sir Archibald impatiently derimly
Sir Archibald started