"B. FRANKLIN."
Governor Keith sent for Benjamin to dine with him.
"I wanted to talk with you a little more about your visit to Boston," he remarked at the dinner-table. "How long will you be gone?"
"That will depend upon the voyage. There and back will occupy from three to four weeks on the vessel. I do not care about spending over a week in Boston. I shall want to get back as soon as I can to start in business."
"Does Mr. Keimer suspect that any thing in particular is on the tapis? I did not know but my visit might awaken his curiosity to learn what it was for."
"It did, and he plied me with questions in order to find out for some time. Once in a while now, he is very inquisitive, evidently thinking that I am withholding something from him. He is quite an intelligent man, without any surplus of honesty."
"So I understand. Bradford is very ignorant, but honest; while Keimer is bright and well-informed, but unscrupulous."
"That is about as near the truth as one can get," continued Benjamin. "I have a pleasant time with Mr. Keimer, however, and have nothing to complain of on that line."
"Can you give me any idea of the time it will take, after you return, to get a printing house in running order?"
"Not exactly. If my plans succeed, and I bring back a printing-press and materials with me, I think a month will be ample time to put the whole thing in running order."