Which, on the contrary, was what the capitalist knew to be impossible.
Melville found himself wishing that something else would come into the
conversation, in order to get the boatbuilder's mind briefly away from
the main proposition.

Steps were heard, at this moment, in the outer office, and then the faces
of Jack and Hal appeared close to the glass in the door. Eph was not far
behind them.

"Oh, my crew," nodded Mr. Farnum, looking up. "You remember our
experiment, the other day, of having a man leave the boat while under
water? Some other problems have come up in that connection. So I sent
word to the young men, asking them to step over to the office as soon as
convenient. I guess they did not quite understand, and were busy at the
time, so that they have come over a little too late. I will step to the
door, and so inform them."

Here was the diversion for which Mr. Melville had just been wishing.

"Don't dismiss them, please," urged the capitalist. "On the contrary,
will you be good enough to ask them to step in here? There is something
that it might be as well to make clear before them."

Bowing slightly, as he rose, Jacob Farnum stepped to the door, opening
it.

"Come right in, boys," he requested. "Mr. Melville wishes to say
something before you."