“I thought so, I thought so!” exclaimed Mr. Pepper, rubbing his fat hands softly together. “The sea, by all means, my boy. That’s where I’ve obtained my living—and something beside—for many years, though in a little different way from your father. Captain Tarr commanded one of my vessels before he purchased the Silver Swan.”
“Yes, so he has told me,” responded Brandon.
“It was a sad thing—his loss at sea,” said Mr. Pepper.
He still smiled, but there was moisture on his eye glasses, and he removed and wiped them gently on a silk handkerchief.
“And he left you hardly a penny’s worth?” he continued interrogatively.
“I have only about fifty dollars,” Brandon replied briefly.
“Only fifty dollars,” repeated the shipping merchant softly. “Not much—more than I had, though, when I went out to seek my fortune; but I had friends—powerful friends—and so have you, Brandon.”
“Not many of them, I fancy,” Don returned, smiling.
“Not many, perhaps: but some,” the other declared with confidence, “and one of them is Adoniram Pepper.”
“Thank you, Mr. Pepper,” said Don. “I hope I shall be worthy of your kindness.”