“You betther,” Finn rumbled. “We got contracts to fill, an’ we got a contract wid you. You want to remember that.”
“I do remember it,” said Joe. “Also I remember that you tried to get us to sign a new one for double the amount, not so very long ago. I suppose it was a coincidence that the freight rate was boosted a few days afterward.”
They simply grinned at him. John Clancy chuckled dryly, as if it were the best joke in the world.
“If we’d ’a’ got that we’d ’a’ made money,” he said.
“No doubt,” Joe commented. “You’re making enough as it is. We lose money on every order of yours that we fill.”
“That’s your business,” said Finn, and John’s mouth tucked in a little more. He shot an understanding glance at his brother, but said nothing.
“Quite true,” said Joe. “And your profits will be doubled by the increased price of lumber. In view of that it occurred to us that you might be willing to amend the contract so as to let us out even.”
“That occurred to ye, did it?” said the big man. There was a sneer in his voice. “It didn’t occur to us, did it, Jawn?”
“It did not, Finn,” said John positively.
“Well, I mention it to you now,” said Joe. “We don’t want to lose money, but we’d be satisfied with an even break. Your profits will be big enough to allow us that. But it’s up to you. If you choose to hold us up I suppose you can do it.”