“I begin to understand, sir. You tried me out?”
“Yes; I experimented. I felt I was trustee for my fortune and the business the others had built, and when I was forced to quit I wanted a man all could trust to carry on my job. Now I am satisfied, and I offer you the post!”
Kit said nothing, but the blood came to his skin. He admitted he had not known Jasper, and his dulness humiliated him.
“You ought to agree, Kit. The job is yours,” said Alison in a quiet voice.
“Thank you, my dear,” said Jasper. “I reckoned on your support. Well, Kit?”
“I’m embarrassed, sir, and half ashamed. At the shipyard I thought you might some time help me get a post; but that was all, and when the company turned me down I resolved I wouldn’t bother you. Since I’d got entangled, I myself must break the entanglement. Now I hesitate. I’m young, I don’t know if I’ve yet got my proper balance, and the job’s important. Then I undertook to build the tanks for the Canadian company, and I must make good.”
“That is so,” said Jasper. “When you have carried out your undertaking, will you come back and talk about my plan again?”
“Yes, sir,” Kit replied quietly.
“It’s all I want; you must do what you agreed to do,” said Jasper. “Well, I doubt if I can get to your wedding; but perhaps Alison and you will meet me another time before you start?”
He turned and gave Alison a gentle look. “I expect you know your lover. Kit is good stuff, and now he will go soberly I feel you and he will go far. I soon must stop, but you have youth and hope. Your road runs on across the horizon; perhaps to a better country than we old folks know.”