And the next morning Cappy himself called up and, in a voice that
seemed to come straight from a cold-storage plant, asked him what he
meant by it, and requested him--though to Matt it sounded like a
peremptory demand--to send the check over at once. So angry and
humiliated did Matt feel as a result of this dun, he could not trust
himself to call with the check but sent it by special delivery.
The Tillicum had returned from her second voyage to Panama and was
about to commence loading her third cargo when another payment fell
due. To Matt's chagrin Kelton again pleaded for delay; and again Matt
settled with Cappy Ricks prior to collecting from Morrow & Company.
Kelton had promised a check on the following Wednesday, and on the
appointed day Matt called, only to be met with a request for further
delay. Kelton explained that Mr. Morrow had been taken very ill and
things were at sixes and sevens in the office as a result. Could not
Matt wait until Saturday, when Mr. Morrow would be back to sign a
check?
"What's wrong with Morrow?" Matt demanded pointedly. "Has he got
paralysis of the right hand?"
"Worse than that," Kelton answered seriously. "He's on the verge of
nervous prostration."
"But can't you sign a check?"
"Y-e-s; but Mr. Morrow generally attends to all financial details.
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