"Not with you at the helm." He smiled rather sadly. "I'm a
good, ordinary, common seaman. But you've got imagination, and
foresight, and nerve, and daring, and that's the stuff that
admirals are made of."

"Bless you, T. A.! I knew you'd see the thing as I do after the
first shock was over. It has always been nip and tuck between
the Sans-Silk Company and us. You gave me the hint that showed
me their plans. Now help me follow it up."

Buck picked up his hat, squared his shoulders and fumbled with
his gloves like a bashful schoolboy.

"You--you couldn't kill two birds with one stone on this trip,
could you, Mrs. Mack?"

Mrs. McChesney, back at her desk again, threw him an inquiring
glance over her shoulder.

"You might make it a combination honeymoon and Featherloom
expedition."

"T. A. Buck!" exclaimed Emma McChesney. Then, as Buck dodged
for the door: "Just for that, I'm going to break this to you.
You know that I intended to handle the Middle Western territory
for one trip, or until we could get a man to take Fat Ed Meyers'
place."

"Well?" said Buck apprehensively.