"Well, I don't think he took on these jobs for his health, as they say; and so it comes hard to believe as he goes out o' them for that reason. But there! he may be an honester man than I take him for. . . . Well, and so you're becomin' a public man too! I congratulate you." "I wouldn' call myself _that_," said 'Bias modestly. "But one or two have suggested that a fellow like me, with plenty of time on his hands, might look after a few small things and the way public money's spent on 'em." He might have claimed that at any rate he knew more of harbour affairs than Cai could possibly know of education: but he did not. To their honour, neither he nor Cai--though they ruffled when face to face before folks--ever spoke an ill word behind the other's back. "There's the dredgin', for one thing; and, for another, the way they're allowed to lade down foreign-goin' ships is a scandal." "Is it the Harbour's business to stop that?" "It ought to be somebody's business." "You'll get nicely thanked," she promised, "if you interfere--and as a ship-owners' representative too!" "There's another matter," confessed 'Bias. "They've asked me to put up for the Parish Council next month. There's a notion that, with this here Diamond Jubilee comin' on, the town ought to rise to the occasion." "And you're the man to give it the lift!" said Mrs Bosenna gaily. "Is Captain Hocken standin' too?" "They say so." "Then I'll plump for both of you. Wait, though--I won't promise: or when the canvass starts you'll both be neglectin' me." The next day Cai called in turn with his rent. "And there's another little matter," said he after handing it to her. "You remember that hundred pounds? Well there's a half-year's dividend declared and due on it, and the cheque's to arrive some time next week. What's the amount, d'ye guess?" "Satisfactory?" "Seven pounds eight shillings and fourpence. . . . Eh? I _thought_ it might astonish you." "It's--it's such an odd amount," she murmured. "It's close upon fifteen per cent." "Yes. You took my breath away for the moment. I wonder at the way you men--I mean, I wonder how _you_ do it--turnin' money to such good account? 'Tis a gift I suppose; and you couldn' teach me, even if you would." Cai received the compliment with a somewhat guilty smile. "They tell me too," she continued, "that you are standin' for the Parish Council next month." "Who told you?" "Oh . . . a little bird!" Cai did not guess at 'Bias under this description. "Well, you see, with this here Diamond Jubilee in the offing, there's a feelin' abroad that the town ought to sit up, as the sayin' is--" "And you're the man to make it sit up!" said Mrs Bosenna gaily. "Well now, I want you to help me." Mrs Bosenna started, alert at once and on her guard; for the game of fence she had chosen to play with these two demanded a constant wariness. But it seemed that for the moment Cai had no design to press his suit-- or no direct design.