“To buy you out?” repeated Tom slowly and in a puzzled way.
“That’s it.”
“You mean with money?” put in the ever-attentive Ben.
“It’s got to be money, I am obliged to say,” replied Mr. Edson. “I shall need all the ready cash I can get hold of in taking my new position, for I have a lot of debts to clean up. Between you and me, Tom, I can sell the outfit here to certain people, but it would throw you out. Of course, I don’t expect you, a boy to have any great amount of money to invest, but I had an idea that some of your relatives or friends might help you.”
Tom was silent, deeply thoughtful for a minute or two. His eyes wandered wistfully over the apparatus that so fascinated him. Then, very timorously, he asked:
“How much would it take, Mr. Edson?”
“One hundred dollars to you, Tom,” said Mr. Edson.
Ben squirmed. Tom’s voice was quite tremulous as he inquired:
“How soon would you have to have the money?”
“By next Tuesday.”