"At this moment, not especially."
"I'm glad of that."
George Melville's attire was particularly fashionable this morning, three days after the first trial trip run, when he dropped in at the boatbuilder's office, finding the latter there alone.
Mr. Melville's eyes were twinkling, his face beaming. He had the whole appearance of a man who is satisfied with himself and anxious to please others.
"I've come to hold out the olive branch, Farnum, if anything of the sort is needed," continued the capitalist.
"It isn't. Nothing is needed here but a good decision from the United
States Government," replied Jacob Farnum, briefly.
"Ahem! Now, see here, Farnum, of course I understand that you had abundant reasons for feeling offended the other day. But this state of affairs ought not to last between us. You have a splendid type of boat, but you need more money in order to push your yard properly. You need a lot more of building plant here."
"Yes," assented Mr. Farnum.
"Now, on the terms that I was inclined to refuse before, I am ready to supply a sum even greater than was at first spoken of," and the man beamed on Mr. Farnum.
"I no longer care to talk business with you, Mr. Melville."