“I should like it,” said Stan. “But I’m afraid that I should be no use to him. What should I have to do?”
“Nothing,” said the manager, laughing. “Only keep your eyes open. You could do that?”
“Oh yes, I could do that,” replied Stan.
“Wing would do the judging of the crops. One does not want to buy tea blindfold.”
“I thought you bought it by tasting.”
“Yes; but we look at it first. That’s settled, then. I tell you what you shall do: sail up the river to the extreme of your journey, and come back overland so as to visit some of the plantations right away from the stream.”
“And stop at hotels of a night?”
“Certainly. Capital plan,” said the manager dryly, “if you can find them.”
“I meant inns, of course,” said Stan, flushing.
“And I shouldn’t advise that. They would not be comfortable. No, no,” added the manager, with a laugh; “you made a mistake, and I began to banter. You will find some of our customers hospitable enough. It is only the ignorant common people who are objectionable.”