the capital, and so I consider that I and mine have a
right to the lion's share. I have worked out my plans, and they are
these. We will divide the adventure into four parts, which shall be
divided as follows, one part to you, and one each to me and my sons.
The only difference will be that you will get your part, and I shall
keep Arthur's and Dick's along with mine. Do you think that fair?"

"No!" cried Dick, giving the table a thump with his fist.

"Till my boys come of age and are men," said Mr Temple smiling. "Then
they can draw their shares. I think it is a fair arrangement. Come,
Marion, what do you say?"

"I don't know what to say, sir," cried the lad, whose lip was working
with emotion. "You are not playing with me?"

"Playing, my lad! I never was in more sober earnest in my life," said
Mr Temple. "There, I see you agree, and I congratulate you on your
success, for it will be a most successful venture--of that I am sure."

"So do I, Will," cried Dick, with his eyes sparkling. "I am glad.
Hooray!"

Arthur hesitated. For the last few minutes a feeling of resentment and
jealousy had been rising in his breast at the idea of this fisher lad
winning to such a successful position and being placed on a level with
him and his brother; but he crushed the feeling down, triumphed over it,
came forward holding out his hand, and offered his congratulations too.
"I am glad, Will Marion," he said, and his words were true and earnest;
but in spite of himself the thought would come, "I hope he won't always
dress like that."

"Then that matter's settled," said Mr Temple. "Everything necessary
has been done. The land is mine, and my solicitor has all the papers.
Mr Will Marion, I too congratulate you on being a mine owner and on the
road to fortune."

"But look here, father," cried Dick suddenly, "what's the good of your
white stone? You can't make tin pots and copper kettles of it."

"No," said Mr Temple smiling; "but don't you know what that stone and
the clay beneath it will make?"

"Yes," cried Dick, "of course. Houses of brick made of the clay with
white stone facings."

"What do you say, Arthur?" said Mr Temple; but Arthur shook his head.

"Can you tell, Marion?" said Mr Temple.

"No, sir," said Will sadly; "I don't--Yes, I do. It's china-clay."

"Right, my lad. A valuable deposit of china-clay, which we can send off
after preparation to the potteries--perhaps start a pottery ourselves,
who