"Yes," Droop proceeded, "I've a little business plan, an' it needs capital an' a partner."
He waited, but there was no response.
"Capital an' a partner," he repeated, "an' intelligence an' ambition. So I come to you."
Rebecca turned toward him again, scarcely less surprised now than before.
"To me! D'ye mean to say ye've me in yer mind fer a partner—with capital?"
Droop nodded slowly and compressed his lips.
"Well, I want to know!" she exclaimed, helplessly.
"Oh, I know you ain't overly rich right now," said Droop, apologetically; "but it warn't no secret thet ye might hev hed Joe Chandler ef ye hadn't ben so shifty in yer mind an' fell betwixt two stools—an' Lord knows Joe Chandler was as rich as—as Peter Craigin down to Keene—pretty nigh."
Again Rebecca blushed, but this time in anger.
"See here, Copernicus Droop—" she began.