"The Wrecker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stevenson Robert Louis)

"Yes; I remember something about that," said the other.
"I think, too, you said you were interested in
Californian real estate."

"Surely I never went so far as that," said Dodd.
"Interested? I guess not. Involved, perhaps. I was
born an artist; I never took an interest in anything
but art. If I were to pile up this old schooner to-
morrow," he added, "I declare I believe I would try the
thing again!"

"Insured?" inquired Havens.

"Yes," responded Dodd. "There's some fool in 'Frisco
who insures us, and comes down like a wolf on the fold
on the profits; but we'll get even with him some day."

"Well, I suppose it's all right about the cargo," said
Havens.

"O, I suppose so!" replied Dodd. "Shall we go into the
papers?"

"We'll have all to-morrow, you know," said Havens; "and
they'll be rather expecting you at the club. C'EST
L'HEURE DE L'ABSINTHE. Of course, Loudon, you'll dine
with me later on?"

Mr. Dodd signified his acquiescence; drew on his white
coat, not without a trifling difficulty, for he was a
man of middle age, and well-to-do; arranged his beard
and moustaches at one of the Venetian mirrors; and,
taking a broad felt hat, led the way through the trade-
room into the ship's waist.

The stern boat was waiting alongside--a boat of an
elegant model, with cushions and polished hard-wood
fittings.

"You steer," observed Loudon. "You know the best place
to land."

"I never like to steer another man's boat," replied
Havens.

"Call it my partner's, and cry quits," returned Loudon,
getting nonchalantly down the side.

Havens followed and took the yoke lines without further
protest.