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ow, you see," Locke concluded, "setting the assets against the liabilities you are solvent to the extent of sixty or seventy thousand dollars, or perhaps more. In all probability you could get that clear if you sold out. Properly managed for you by somebody else, it would yield an income of between three and four thousand dollars per annum. On that you could live comfortably, be free from worry, and die of dry-rot and Scotch highballs at about my age."
"I'm going to run the business," said Joe. "My father wished it; and anyway I'm going to."
Locke smoked thoughtfully for some moments. "That's good talk," he said at length. "I understand your feelings. But before you come to a definite conclusion take time to look at all sides of the question. The cold fact is that you have had no experience. The business is solvent, but too involved to give you much leeway. It is an expensive one to run, and you can't afford to make many mistakes. For seven months in the year your payroll and camp supply bill will run into five figures. Your father intended to make a big cut next winter and clear off some of the debt. Suppose you try that yourself. It means a big outlay. Can you swing it? Remember, you haven't got much rope; and if you fail and smash it won't be a case of living on three or four thousand a year, but of earning five or six hundred a year to live on."
"I hadn't thought of it in just that way," said Kent. "You see it's all new to me. But I'm going into it, sink or swim. My mind's made up."
"I thought it would be," said Locke with satisfaction. "If I were you I'd take Wright into my confidence from the start. He is a good man, and thinks as much of your interests as if they were his own."
Wright, called in, listened to Locke's succinct statement without much surprise. "Of course, I knew these things already in a general way," he commented.
"I have decided to carry on the business," Joe told him. "What do you think of it?"
"The carrying or the business?"
"Both."
"Well," said Wright slowly, "the business might be in worse shape--a lot worse. With your father handling it there would be no trouble. With you--I don't know."
"That's not very encouraging," said Joe, endeavouring to smile at Locke, an effort not entirely successful. Locke said nothing.
"Well, I'm after it now," said Kent. "Will you stay with me while I get it?"
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