"No, I am still a man of leisure. Why don't you hire a small store, and do a general periodical business? It would pay you better."
"No doubt it would, but it would take money to open and stock such a store."
"I may make a proposition to you some time to go in with me, I furnishing the capital, and you managing the business."
"I am always open to a good offer," said Luke, smiling.
"I suppose I ought to have some business, but I'm a social kind of fellow, and should want a partner, a smart, enterprising, trustworthy person like you."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Never mind that! I am a judge of human nature, and I felt confidence in you at once."
Somehow Luke was not altogether inclined to take Stephen Webb at his own valuation. His new acquaintance did not impress him as a reliable man of business, but he had no suspicion of anything underhand.
By this time Luke had disposed of his remaining papers.
"I am through for the day," he said, "and shall go home."