I'm going
to become a partner in Berande to the extent of my bag of sovereigns--I've
got over fifteen hundred of them, you know. We'll draw up an agreement
right now--that is, with your permission, and I know you won't refuse
it."
He looked at her with good-natured amusement.
"You know I sailed here all the way from Tahiti in order to become a
planter," she insisted. "You know what my plans were. Now I've changed
them, that's all. I'd rather be a part owner of Berande and get my
returns in three years, than break ground on Pari-Sulay and wait seven
years."
"And this--er--this schooner. . . . " Sheldon changed his mind and
stopped.
"Yes, go on."
"You won't be angry?" he queried.
"No, no; this is business. Go on."
"You--er--you would run her yourself?--be the captain, in short?--and go
recruiting on Malaita?"
"Certainly. We would save the cost of a skipper. Under an agreement you
would be credited with a manager's salary, and I with a captain's. It's
quite simple. Besides, if you won't let me be your partner, I shall buy
Pari-Sulay, get a much smaller vessel, and run her myself. So what is
the difference?"
"The difference?--why, all the difference in the world. In the case of
Pari-Sulay you would be on an independent venture.
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