“But I do not see how that affects me,” Matt answered.
“You don't, eh? Why, you're the port captain of the Blue Star Navigation Company, you-you-you bonehead, and Skinner has to stand for you now whether he likes it or not. He'll not sacrifice his future to vent his grudge against you, because he is a business man, Matt, and he knows it's mighty poor business to bite off his nose to spite his face. So you just come to work.”
Matt Peasley beamed across at his future father-in-law.
“That was well done, sir,” he said, “and I wish I had known you were going to do it. I would have saved you the trouble, because, you see, I never intended to go to work for you in this office anyhow.”
“The devil you say!” Cappy interrupted. “Well, you just put some reverse English on those intentions of yours, my boy. I know what's good for you.”
But Matt Peasley only shook his head.
“I can't do it, sir,” he said. “While deeply appreciative of all you want to do for me, the fact is, if I'm going to marry your daughter—and I am—I'm not going to do it on your money and be dependent upon you for a job. I'll be my own man, Mr. Ricks. I never ask odds of any man, and I don't like to work for a relative.”
“Damn your Yankee independence,” snapped Cappy angrily. “Why do you oppose me?”
“Because I'll not have anybody saying: 'There goes Matt Peasley. He fell into a good thing. Yes, indeed! Used to be a common A. B. until Alden P. Ricks' daughter fell in love with him—and of course after that he went right up the line in the Blue Star Navigation Company. He's a lucky stiff.'”
“What do you care what people say? I know what I want.”