“Goin’ to take him up, Walt?” someone asked. Unknown to Walter it had been a town joke among the men that Walter Wells, who never had a cent, had offered to buy a yacht. Fagner’s offer to sell had been made in public, but the spirit of the offer was equally well known.
“Sure!” said Walter.
The operation caught Fagner’s eye, but before he could say a word Walter dumbfounded him by remarking, “Jerry’ll send yuh a cheque, soon as you tell her how much.”
Fagner said nothing, but moved off quickly in search of a telephone. His smile reassured the crowd, who began to see now that this was business after all. They gazed at Walter solemnly, for business is no joking matter.
At the other end of the telephone Jerry assured the skipper that the option on his new yacht was being taken up seriously. He came hurriedly back.
“You really mean to take me up, Walter?” he asked.
“Sure; unless you’ve changed your mind?”
Walter stopped fumbling with his sailor knots and straightened up. The crowd looked on expectantly.
“Oh, no!” Fagner laughed. “I’m game! I said I’d do it, and I will! But,” he added half to himself, “this is certainly one on me.” Aloud he asked, “Are you sure you don’t want the Moodiks?”
“Nope,” said Walter, bending to his rope again.