Then she turned to Raft.
“This is your new home,” said she, “there is room for your parrot here.” Then turning to Captain Bontemps. “Well, that is settled and now I only want a crew and a captain—fishermen. I will have no yachtsmen on my boat. I have had to do with yachtsmen, Captain Bontemps.”
“Oh, my faith,” said the old fellow, “you will easily find a crew.”
“Yes, but I won’t easily find a captain. I want you.”
The Captain laughed.
“And how about La Belle Arlesienne?” asked he.
“You must leave her behind you to be sold. In my service money is no object. Now as to this boat, who is the agent from whom I can buy her?”
“Latour and Company,” replied the old fellow, for the first time in his life in the powerful grip of wealth and not knowing exactly whether the great golden hand was holding him heels or head up.
“How far is Latour’s from here?”
“Not far.”