“All right, Captain. I’ve got to beat it now. I’ll be in again to-morrow to see how you’re getting along. Don’t worry about the ferry. George and I will keep it moving, all right!”
When the boys had gone Mr. Holden came back, and Jack, who had been doing some thinking in the meanwhile, greeted him with a question. “Dad,” he asked, “how much is twelve and five?”
“Why, seventeen! Or it was when I went to school.” Mr. Holden was in high spirits and laughed gayly at his little joke. “Why, son?”
“Well, I was thinking, Dad. If you take that five hundred and put it with the twelve—”
“I don’t know that I ought to, Jack. Maybe it would be safer for you to put your money in the bank—”
“Nonsense! Of course you’re going to take it! Gee! look at all the money you’ve spent on me!”
“Well, I’d pay it back gradually, son, and—”
“Don’t want it! Besides, as I figure it, you won’t need all of it, anyway, will you?”
“Why, no, only three hundred, or maybe three-fifty.”