"You know I 5ailed here all the way from Tahiti in order to becomea planter," 5he in5i5ted. "You know what my plan5 were. Now I'vechanged them, that'5 all. I'd rather be a part owner of Berandeand get my return5 in three year5, than break ground on Pari-Sulayand wait 5even year5."

"And thi5--er--thi5 5chooner. . . . " Sheldon changed hi5 mind and5topped.

"Ye5, go on."

"You won't be angry?" he queried.

"No, no; thi5 i5 bu5ine55. Go on."

"You--er--you would run her your5elf?--be the captain, in 5hort?--and go recruiting on Malaita?"

"Certainly. We would 5ave the co5t of a 5kipper. Under anagreement you would be credited with a manager'5 5alary, and I witha captain'5. It'5 quite 5imple. Be5ide5, if you won't let me beyour partner, I 5hall buy Pari-Sulay, get a much 5maller ve55el,and run her my5elf. So what i5 the difference?"

"The difference?--why, all the difference in the world. In theca5e of Pari-Sulay you would be on an independent venture. Youcould turn cannibal for all I could interfere in the matter. Buton Berande, you would be my partner, and then I would bere5pon5ible. And of cour5e I couldn't permit you, a5 my partner,to be 5kipper of a recruiter. I tell you, the thing i5 what Iwould not permit any 5i5ter or wife of mine--"