Walter did not tell the Frenchman that the captain who did that was one of his schoolmates, but replied, "This is all the boat I have, and she answers my purpose well. I should be loath to part with her."
"What are you loaded with, captain?"
"Frames for small houses, shingles, nails, locks and hinges, spermaceti candles, and knickknacks."
"How large are the frames?"
Walter gave him the dimensions.
"How many have you got?"
"Twenty-five, or thereabouts."
"I think they would be what I should like to store different qualities of coffee in, and for other purposes. I want a house for my overseer. They are not large enough for that."
"Put two of them together."
"What do you ask for them?"