"Well, I will; here and now," added Laud, pulling out his wallet.
"Where did you get so much money, Laud?" asked Donald.
It was doubtless an impertinent question, but it came from the heart of him who proposed it; and it was not resented by him to whom it was put. On the contrary, Laud seemed to be troubled, rather than indignant.
"Don John, you are a good fellow," said Laud, after a long pause.
"For certain reasons of my own, I want you to keep this trade to yourself."
"Then I won't do it. If there is any hitch about the money, I won't have anything to do with it."
"Any hitch? What do you mean by that?" demanded Laud, with a lofty air.
"It's no use to mince the matter, Laud. Three hundred and fifty dollars don't grow on every bush in your or my garden; and I have been wondering, all the time, where a fellow like you should get money enough to buy a boat like the Juno."
Donald said all this fairly and squarely; but it occurred to him just then, that after he had sold the boat, any one might ask him the same question, and he should not feel at liberty to answer it.
"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Laud.
"Nothing of the sort; and you needn't ride that high horse. I won't sell the boat till I know where the money came from."
"Confound your honor! I think we have said enough."
"If you mean to say that I didn't come honorably by my money, you are mistaken."
"Are you always willing to tell where you get every dollar in your pocket?" retorted Laud.
That was a home-thrust, and Donald felt it in his trowsers pocket, where he kept his wallet.
"I am generally ready to tell where I get my money," he replied, but he did not speak with much energy.
Laud looked about him, and seemed to be considering the matter.
"I don't like to be accused of stealing," mused he.
"I don't accuse you of anything," added Donald.
"It's the same thing. If I tell you where I got this money, will you keep it to yourself?" asked Laud.
"O, it is!" protested Laud. "I will tell you; but you must keep the secret, whatever happens."
"I will, if everything is as it should be."
"Well, Captain Shivernock gave it to me," said Laud, in confidential tones, and after looking about to satisfy himself that no third person was within hearing.