“Yes, but I don’t believe——” He paused, recalling Jack’s oft-repeated advice. “I don’t believe I’ll get what I want,” he resumed with assumed assurance. “The bases look to be pretty well occupied, and I want to play first or second.”
Toby seemed impressed, but Sidney laughed as he said, not ill-naturedly: “There’s nothing like knowing what you want, Faulkner.”
“And going after it?” asked Joe smilingly.
Sidney nodded. “That’s right. How’s the business getting on?”
“Very well, thanks.”
“We were talking about you the other day, Tom Pollock and Sam Craig and I,” said Sidney, “and Tom said he thought you were the luckiest chap he knew, and I guess I agree with him. You’ve been here in Amesville only a couple of months and you’ve got a good business and are making money at it. Sam said he guessed luck had less to do with it than pluck, though.”
“I think Tom Pollock was nearer right,” replied Joe modestly. “It’s been mostly luck, I guess.”
“Jack Strobe’s in that with you, isn’t he?” inquired Toby.
“Yes, it was Jack put in most of the money to start. About all I had was the idea!”