"
"I may not have been very enthusiastic at first," Mr. Dowling
admitted, grudgingly. "Latterly, however, I have come round to
your views."
"There have been several articles in various newspapers, and a
good deal of talk," Tavernake remarked, "which have been more
effectual, I think, in bringing you round, than my advice.
However, what I wish to say to you is this, sir, that when I
found myself unable to interest you in this scheme, I went into
it myself to some extent."
"Went into it yourself?" Mr. Dowling repeated, incredulously.
"What do you mean, Tavernake? What do you mean, sir?"
"I mean that I have invested my savings in the purchase of
several plots of land upon this hillside," Tavernake explained.
"On your own account?" Mr. Dowling demanded. "Your savings,
indeed!"
"Certainly," Tavernake answered. "Why not?"
"But it's the firm's business, sir--the firm's, not yours!"
"The firm had the opportunity," Tavernake pointed out, "and were
not inclined to avail themselves of it. If I had not bought the
land when I did, some one else would have bought the whole of it
long ago."
Mr. Dowling was obviously in a furious temper.
"Do you mean to tell me, sir," he exclaimed, "that you dared to
enter into private speculations while still an employee of the
firm? It is a most unheard-of thing, unwarranted, ridiculous. I
shall require you, sir, to at once make over the plots of land to
us--to the firm, you understand.
Pages:
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125