Rawn raised a hand magnificently. "Never mind as to that, Charles. A great many didn't know it was in me. Why, a few months ago I told my wife something of this. She asked if I'd ever be rich enough to give her a silk dress! When the factory's up and the wheels are moving--then I'll take her out to the place, and I'll say to her just what you said to me--'You didn't think it was in me, did you? But it was!' Women nearly always think their husbands can't do anything in the world. A silk dress! My God! And she wanted a new gate in the picket fence, too." "I didn't know that about women," said Halsey simply. "I thought it was the other way about." "Well, well, I hope it may be that way in your case. Listen, Charles. I love my girl, Grace. She has always been a good child. I'm putting you in a place where you can take good care of her. I want you to stick to her for ever, through thick and thin. Remember, my son, that your wife is your wife, and that nothing must separate you from her." "Maybe it'll work out something after my idea, after all." Halsey spoke pleasantly as he could at this mention of Grace. "We'll take our chances but what it will work out our way!" said John Rawn, grinning in return. "You want to work for _man_, do you? Well, I want men to work for _me_!" XII "But we've no quarrel," he said suddenly, wheeling about. "We'll be partners from the start. There are some minor particulars to work out. I've got to have some sort of shop out in the back yard. Bring your little machine there--the model you said would not quite work." "How long before we begin, Mr. Rawn?" asked Halsey simply. "I have my last pay envelope in my pocket now, to-day." "Didn't they give you any capital to start with?" "I did not dare ask it." "But how much funds have you of your own?" "Mighty little. I've been kept down all my life. It's been pretty much week to week with me, although Laura's been a wonderful manager, I'll say that." "I've saved a little money," said Halsey, quietly as before. "I even believe Grace has saved her salary--eight a week. You see, we were making plans--here's my bank-book. A little over five hundred. How much would you need, Mr. Rawn, to take care of you for the next few days that you require for this work?" "I've got to have some working models made, and it'll take some cash," said Rawn. "I've hardly had time to work out all these things as yet. All right. All the more pleasure for you to feel that you had a hand in it." He reached across the table and took the dog-eared bank-book which Halsey extended, and ran his eye down the column of pitiable figures. The total was more than he himself had ever saved in all his life. Yet John Rawn stood there now calm, large and strong, and spoke in millions. XIII