es were matters
of chance?

"Well," called Mr. Galbraith as he came up the walk, "you two people
look comfortable. Is there room on that doorstep for one more?"

"Certainly, sir! Certainly!" Willie replied. "But wouldn't you rather
we heaved a box or something out of the shop for you to set on? You'll
find these steps a good way down, I'm afraid."

"Not a bit of it," the New Yorker answered, dropping into the welcome
shade of the trellis. "You have deserted the shop, I see. Does that
mean your work is done?"

"Done an' delivered," smiled Willie. "We've discharged our cargo an'
ain't took nothin' else aboard yet. We're just kinder ridin' at
anchor."

"How did your friend, Mr. Brewster, like your handiwork?"

In spite of his native modesty Willie's bronzed face lighted with pride.

"Say, you'd oughter seen him!" exclaimed he, forgetting everything else
in his pleasure. "He was struck clean abeam! He never suspected
nothin' about it an' the surprise took him broadside. An' it works!"
continued the little man with enthusiasm. "Yes, siree! It works!
That cockleshell of a _Sea Gull_ goes rippin' along through the eel
grass, her propeller clear and free as if she had twenty fathoms of
water under her. It's as pretty a sight as you'd care to look on."

Mr. Galbraith watched the shining eyes of the inventor.

"Mr. Spence," he said, "that idea of yours is going to be a very useful
and valuable one. Have you thought of that?"

Willie flushed.

"Well," replied he with hesitation, "yesterday when I was shuckin'
clams it did come to me that mebbe there'd be other folks besides Zenas
Henry would like it."

"A great many folks!" rejoined the capitalist. "I am in a position to
know, because shipbuilding chances to be my business."

"So I was told," his listener remarked quietly. An expression of quick
surprise passed over the other's countenance.

"Yes," he went on, "both Mr. Snelling and I are interested in boats in
our way."

"It's a fine job," Willie observed evasively.

"Yes, it is. Not only is shipbuilding a fascinating occupation but it
is a patriotic one as well, for I believe the resurrection of our
merchant marine to be one of the most important duties of our nation.
Everything that works toward that end is a service to the country, in
my estimation."

"You're right, sir," was the rejoinder. "I'm terrible fond of ships
myself. They're human as people an' as different. You can turn 'em