He had almost decided not to accept the offer, when he thought of Hawley. "Why, he could collect most of those shells himself, if he worked at it all day," thought Alec. "He can get around so fast with the little motor that he might be able to do it all himself. Now, how can we arrange it?"
He thought over the matter a long time. Before he fell asleep he had decided what to do. Next morning he sought Hawley on the latter's ship the instant he was up.
"Jim," he said, "the oystermen want me to take all their shells. I'd like to do it. There would be a nice profit in it, but I can't very well give up my job on the Bertha B and go to collecting shells on nothing a week. Now if you would go into partnership with me——"
"On nothing a week?" laughed the big sailor.
Alec joined in the laugh. "Looks as though that's what I want, doesn't it? But listen, Jim. Here's my plan. You stay here and handle the shells. I will be on hand to help you every afternoon. With the motor in our boat we can handle them all easily. I'll draw my pay on the Bertha B and give you ten dollars each week. That isn't much, but it will keep you until we sell the shells. Then you can repay me from your share of the proceeds. I've been figuring out how many we'll have, and there'll be enough to bring us both a good profit for all the time and money we put into it. What do you think of it?"
"If it will help you," said Hawley, "you just bet I'll do it."
"It'll help us both."
"Then that settles it. Here's to the new firm, 'Cunningham and Hawley, shell merchants.'"
And turning to the table, Hawley poured out drinks for them both. But it was only coffee.