rnal Shipping Board freighters, and no sooner do we have them
allocated to us than a near panic hits the country, freight rates go to
glory, marine engineers go on strike and every infernal young whelp we
send out to take charge of one of our offices in the Orient promptly
gets the swelled head and thinks he's divinely ordained to drink up all
the synthetic Scotch whiskey manufactured in Japan for the benefit of
thirsty Americans. In my old age you two have forced us into the
position of having to fire folks by cable. Why? Because we're breaking
into a game that can't be played on the home grounds. A lot of our
business is so far away we can't control it."

Matt Peasley leveled an accusing finger at Cappy Ricks. "We never argued
you into taking over the management of those Shipping Board boats. We
argued me into it. I'm the goat. You have nothing to do with it. You
retired ten years ago. All the troubles in the marine end of this shop
belong on my capable shoulders, old settler."

"Theoretically--yes. Actually--no. I hope you do not expect me to
abandon mental as well as physical effort. Great Wampus Cats! Am I to be
denied a sentimental interest in matters where I have a controlling
financial interest? I admit you two boys are running my affairs and
ordinarily you run them rather well, but--but--ahem! Harumph-h-h! What's
the matter with you, Matt? And you, also, Skinner? If Matt makes a
mistake, it's your job to remind him of it before the results manifest
themselves, is it not? And vice versa. Have you two boobs lost your
ability to judge men or did you ever have such ability?"

"You're referring to Henderson, of the Shanghai office, I dare say," Mr.
Skinner cut in.

"I am, Skinner. And I'm here to remind you that if we'd stuck to our own
game, which is coast-wise shipping, and had left the trans-Pacific field
with its general cargoes to others, we wouldn't have any Shanghai office
at this moment and we would not be pestered by the Hendersons of this
world."

"He's the best lumber salesman we've ever had," Mr. Skinner defended. "I
had every hope that he would send us orders for many a cargo for Asiatic
delivery."

"And he had gone through every job in this office, from office boy to
sales manager in the lumber department and from freight clerk to
passenger agent in the navigation company," Matt Peasley supplemented.

"I admit all of that. But did you consult me when you decided to send
him out to China on his