“Don't know, I'm sure, ma'am. I'll swear that he does what is right and proper.”
“That is what I usually pay—ten shillings in the hundred pounds. If you see him before I do just ask him to get me five thousand in New Zealands. It is at four just now, and I fancy it may rise.”
“Five thousand!” exclaimed the Admiral, reckoning it in his own mind. “Lemme see! That's twenty-five pounds commission. A nice day's work, upon my word. It is a very handsome order, ma'am.”
“Well, I must pay some one, and why not him?”
“I'll tell him, and I'm sure he'll lose no time.”
“Oh, there is no great hurry. By the way, I understand from what you said just now that he has a partner.”
“Yes, my boy is the junior partner. Pearson is the senior. I was introduced to him years ago, and he offered Harold the opening. Of course we had a pretty stiff premium to pay.”
Mrs. Westmacott had stopped, and was standing very stiffly with her Red Indian face even grimmer than usual.
“Pearson?” said she. “Jeremiah Pearson?”
“The same.”