"Then, perhaps, you meant to talk about painting the passengers' rooms?"
"No," said Kit. "The rooms need painting, but I really meant to ask you to let me off my engagement. I have heard about another post."
Don Ramon studied him quietly for a few moments. Kit's glance was direct, but the blood had come to his skin. The Spaniard was very subtle and knew something about young Englishmen; he rather approved Kit.
"It is better, but I'm not altogether influenced by this," Kit replied awkwardly. "I haven't much scope on board _Campeador_. One likes to feel one is responsible and doing something worth while."
"Ah," said Don Ramon, "a number of your countrymen arrive at this office with the resolve to do as little as possible. However, I imagined you were satisfied on board."
"In a way I am satisfied. The captain and engineer are my friends, I like the company's agents, and your clerks make things easy. In fact, if you think I ought to stop, I will stop."
"You imply that you are willing to give up the better post unless we agree to your leaving us?"
"Of course!" said Kit. "I won't urge you to agree."
Don Ramon smiled. "After all, your joining Mr. Wolf has some advantages, particularly since the steamer he has chartered is ours, and I don't know that it is necessary for you to break your engagement with us. If it is not broken, you could go back to _Campeador_ after the other boat's return, and, in the meantime, will get your pay. I expect Mr. Wolf did not state how long he wanted you."
Perhaps it was strange, but he had not stipulated that he must be employed for a fixed time. He ought to have stipulated. Then he was surprised because Don Ramon knew his object for wanting to go. Don Ramon was clever and his remarks hardly indicated much confidence in Wolf.
"You are generous," Kit resumed. "However, I doubt if I can honestly work for you and Wolf. You see, the office now and then buys corn at the Moorish ports."
"I think I see," Don Ramon replied with a twinkle. "You imply that so long as you take Wolf's pay you are his man, and we must not expect you to study his business for our benefit? Well, we do not expect this, and you will find Wolf's business is, for the most part, transacted at a neighbourhood we leave alone. All the same, the chartered steamer is valuable, and although we have asked for some guarantees, we would like a company's servant on board. Don Erminio and Macallister will join the ship."