As to actual business foundations and resources, neither of the young
men could judge. They had no means of knowing how deeply Benson was in
debt, nor what were his assets beyond the visible stock. Yet his fellow
shopkeepers considered him on the verge of bankruptcy; they must know.
"I've enjoyed this trip, Mr. Kendrick," Carson said at parting, "in more
ways than I can tell you. If I can be of use to you in any way, call on
me, please. I'm honestly interested in your friend Mr. Benson. I'd like
to see him win out."
"So should I." Richard shook hands heartily. "I've enjoyed the trip,
too, Mr. Carson. I never had better company. Thank you for going--and
for teaching me a lot of things I wanted to know."
As he drove away he was thinking, "Carson's a success; I'm not. Odd
thing, that I should find myself envying a chap whose place I couldn't
be hired to take. I envy him--not exactly his knowledge and skill, but
his being a definite factor, his being a man who carries
responsibilities and makes good, so that--well, so that he's 'in line
for promotion.' That phrase takes hold of me somehow; I wonder why?
Well, the next thing is to see grandfather.
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