"I thank you. Without further circumlocution I must ask you to come straight to the business which brings you here."
"It is very simple, and will put money in your pocket, of which, it seems to me, you stand in need."
"I do stand in need of money."
"Then the matter can be arranged. Some little while since we had a conversation concerning certain contracts which you were not in a position to complete."
"You solicited a transference of those contracts to your firm," said Aaron, "and I declined to grant your request."
"You use high-sounding words for one in your position," said Mr. Poynter, with a frown, "but I will not quarrel with you. You gave the worst of all bad reasons for your refusal."
"Whether my reasons were good or bad, you have taken your revenge."
"God-fearing men do not seek revenge, but justice. To continue. The firm to which you transferred the most important of these contracts happens at the present time to need some assistance, and hearing of it, I offer what it needs. But it appears that you have hampered them, and that in the deed of transference you expressly stipulate that no part of the contracts shall be executed by me unless I bind myself to a scale of wages and hours which you have tabulated."
"I considered it fair to the men," said Aaron, "and it is as you have stated."
"It is my belief," pursued Mr. Poynter, "that the firm will accept my aid if I adhere to the scale, which I decline to do. I know what is right, and I will not be dictated to. My business here is to make you the offer of a sum of money--I will go as far as a hundred pounds--if you will cancel this stipulation by which my friends are bound. A hundred pounds is a large sum, Mr. Cohen; it would come in useful to you just now."