"Quite right!"
Another pause, then Balt cleared his throat and said, with an assumption of carelessness:
"Well, I don't suppose—you ever had 'em—shine your finger-nails, did you?"
"Yes."
The big man opened his mouth to speak; then, evidently changing his mind, observed, "Seems to me I'd better stay here on the coast and wait for you."
"No, indeed!" the other answered, quickly. "I will need you in raising that money. You know the practical side of the fishing business, and I don't."
"All right, I'll go. If you can stand for me, I'll stand for the full-dress suits of clothes and the finger-nail women. Anyhow, it won't last long."
"When were you outside last?"
"Four years ago."
"Ever been East?"