"I wish it were mine," said Oliver. "Mother keeps me plaguey short."
"I'd thought of a scheme that would be pretty fair all round," said John. "Bill was the owner, and he gave it to me. He wants to stay on the farm. Well, I propose to build him a new hut and set him up with new weapons: that will make him comfortable for life. Then old Sobersides has been very decent. His men behaved like bricks, and we certainly couldn't have got it without their help. We might give them some bushels of beads and loads of wire and blankets and other things they value. They may seem trumpery to us, but they're untold wealth to the natives."
"And then?" said Mrs. Burtenshaw.
"Well, perhaps Charley and I might share the rest."
"Nonsense!" said Ferrier. "It's yours."
"And we'll share it. We shared everything else. Don't be selfish, Charley."
Everybody laughed, and it was ultimately settled that the ivory should be sent to Nairobi, where Mr. Gillespie promised to get the best possible price for it.
Here Said Mohammed came in with coffee. When he had handed round the cups he lingered.
"Don't wait, khansaman," said John. "We'll manage now. Every one was delighted with your dinner."
"I am repaid a thousandfold, sir. Not to intrude, sir, I have trifling communication to make."