Mr. Wilmarth is taken very much by surprise, that they can both see. His first attitude looks like battle. Mr. Connery makes a brief and succinct statement, explaining what he puts very graciously as a mistake or an informality, and Wilmarth listens attentively.
"Gentlemen," he says, with a great effort at suavity, "this was young Mr. Grandon's offer. I may as well explain to you," with a stinging emphasis, "that he is a good deal in debt and needs money. I should have held this share subject to some demands, of course. Three thousand five hundred was to go to his share of the note, and the rest was to be subject to his call at any time."
Floyd Grandon is so incensed that he shows his hand incautiously.
"Mr. Wilmarth, I offer you twelve thousand dollars for your quarter-share," he says.
"Mr. Grandon, I beg leave to decline it."
The two men measure each other. They will always be antagonistic.
"What will you take to dispose of it?"
"It is not for sale."
"Then you must have faith in the ultimate recovery of the business."
"Not necessarily. If I choose to risk my money it is my own affair. I have no family to impoverish. And all business is a risk, a species of gambling. You stake your money against the demand for a certain line of goods, red, we will say. The ball rises and lo, it is white, but you whistle 'better luck next time.'"