"Colonel," replied Brent, "do you recall the rough and uncouth young citizen who came over here from Cincinnati, as clerk on the Vicksburg?"
"I remember, sir, that he was so promising that they made him provisional captain the next trip, and he was not yet twenty-four years of age."
"And do you remember buying the Vicksburg at the sheriff's sale for twenty thousand dollars, and handing her over to young Brent, and saying, 'There, my son, she's your boat, and you can pay for her when you like'?"
"Shucks, Brent!" said Mr. Carvel, sternly, "your memory's too good. But I proved myself a good business man, Jinny; he paid for her in a year."
"You don't mean that you made him pay you for the boat?" cried Jinny.
"Why, Pa, I didn't think you were that mean!"
The two men laughed heartily.
"I was a heap meaner," said her father. "I made him pay interest."
Virginia drew in her breath, and looked at the Colonel in amazement.
"He's the meanest man I know," said Captain Lige. "He made me pay interest, and a mint julep."
"Upon my word, Pa," said Miss Virginia, soberly, "I shouldn't have believed it of you."