It was not until his laugh had died away to a chuckle that its application to the bank situation dawned upon him.
"Umph!" he grunted.

"I see.

You cal'late that Lute Small will fill Gus Howes' job about the way you filled those boots, eh?
You may be right, shouldn't wonder if you was, but we've got to have somebody and we've got to have him now.

So I guess likely we'll let Lute sign on and wait till later to find out whether he's an able seaman or a--a--" He hesitated, groping for a simile.

Mr.Winslow supplied one.
"Or a leak," he suggested.
"Yes, that's it.