“My debt has bothered me, Kit, and to pay is some relief. I’m afraid I forced you to be frugal.”
Kit left the notes alone. When Blake married he was embarrassed for money and Kit urged him to use his.
“You must think for Mabel. I don’t want the sum.”
“Take the notes,” said Blake, and indicated the piano. “My luck has rather obviously begun to turn.”
“I admit I wondered,” Kit remarked.
Blake lighted his pipe and knitted his brows. Kit had recently imagined Tom’s look was careworn.
“You are entitled to inquire. Not long since I took my model to Allinson and he was interested. In fact he was willing to help me experiment.”
“Splendid!” said Kit, for Blake had long experimented on an improvement for the marine oil-engine. “Allinson’s the man to make the thing go.”
“If I’d seen him sooner, it would have helped,” Blake remarked, rather moodily. “Anyhow, he agrees the gear will work, and since he thinks we can get a patent, he gave me a small sum for an option. It accounts for the piano, and my paying my debt. The notes are yours. Thank you, Kit!”
Kit took the notes and soon afterwards Mabel carried in the coffee. They began to talk about Blake’s invention, but by and by she asked: “Are you going to Netherhall for your holidays, Kit?”