'What! Lieutenant! you here?' exclaimed Mr. Trampleasure, coming up to Herring, looking flushed and glossy. 'Glorious day, this. Wonderful discovery, this Ophir. "Thither the tribes go up!" said the prophet, speaking of this day and the way in which they went into the tent to their dinner. Come in and have a glass of wi—, of something comforting but not exhilarating. Come in, my dear lieutenant; there is only the band there, making clean the cup and the platter, when their betters have done.'
'No, thank you,' answered Herring, 'I have had an early dinner. Besides, I must trouble you no longer to style me lieutenant.'
'Why so?'
'Because I have sold out.'
'Sold out! Become a civilian again!'
'Yes. I have things to attend to which demand my presence here. I am going to work the silver lead.'
'My dear fellow, don't throw money away on that. Take shares in gold.'
'I prefer lead.'
'Herring, is that why you are taking up the mortgages on West Wyke?'
'Partly.'