He was a waster and a
loafer who pretended to be an artist. He had thrown away the little
talent he had once possessed. He had behaved shamefully to Ruth,
shirking his responsibilities and idling through life. He realized it
now, when it was too late.
Suddenly through the chaos of his reflections there shone out clearly
one coherent thought, the recollection of what Hank Jardine had offered
to him. "If ever you are in a real tight corner----"
* * * * *
His brain cleared. He sat down calmly to wait for Ruth. His mind was
made up. Hank's offer was the way out, the only way out, and he must
take it.
BOOK TWO
Chapter I
Empty-handed
The steamship _Santa Barbara_, of the United Fruit Line, moved
slowly through the glittering water of the bay on her way to dock. Out
at quarantine earlier in the morning there had been a mist, through
which passing ships loomed up vague and shapeless; but now the sun had
dispersed it and a perfect May morning welcomed the _Santa
Barbara_ home.
Kirk leaned on the rail, looking with dull eyes on the city he had left
a year before. Only a year! It seemed ten. As he stood there he felt an
old man.
A drummer, a cheery soul who had come aboard at Porto Rico, sauntered
up, beaming with well-being and good-fellowship.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168