“My friend, your family line will stretch out to the crack of doom, and I see them reduced to beggary.” Asher only smiled at him in the starlight. “My friend, you are as credulous as a schoolboy. You believed that nonsense about Wall Street, and you believe that you are going to live as long as the Christian era.” At this point Asher spoke. “Of course I’m not going to live as long as the Christian era. That’s why I want the Christian names of those things up there.” “They haven’t any.” “Ain’t that an oversight?” “Well, Asher, I suppose the Christian astronomers were afraid you’d copyright the names. Are you hunting for a trademark?” “Not exactly. I want a name for the laboratory that you and I may be going to build right here.” The stars kept still while astonishment ran through Chase and exploded in laughter. “My wife wins! She told me I was no match for you. Asher, the land over by the creek is a better location. It’s farther away from the newspapers. I will put in two millions, and you will put in one.” “Not too fast. Chase. All you are going to do just now is to buy a thousand acres surrounding the professor’s farm. You can pay for it yourself.” “I’ll do it. What are you going to do?” “I’m going to watch those fractions for three years. I don’t doubt the boy’s executive ability, but I want to make sure about his ability to direct research. If you ever get a telegram from me about research, you’ll know I’m ready to go fifty-fifty.” Chapter 73. Tantalum The departure of the rich left the Riches as poor as ever, but as a result of the eastern trip the sale of the text-books increased a little, and furthermore the doctor earned a hundred dollars by writing out his Roman ladies. This was Kate Coggeshall’s doing. She asked him for the article, sold it for him, and sent him the check. He turned it over to his daughter for her own use. Jean used it. Being determined not to break her heart over a chemist, she decided to study chemistry. Ojeeg was only too glad, now that the Little Pine had departed for school, to buy the lumber for her and begin to build her a little laboratory over in the clearing. The boys on the patrol boat discovered what he was doing, and lent him a hand to raise the frame. Meantime Marvin resumed his work. If like Tantalus he was doomed to hunger, it only made him plunge deeper into the secrets of Jove. His only dissipation that autumn was to desert his studies long enough to act as best man while Gratia was transmuted into Mrs. James Endicott La Hogue. Chapter 74. Tungsten When her little laboratory was ready, even to an air-tight stove, Jean moved in. She had her Lucretius, a recent text-book, a few chemicals, and her dog for company.