"Yes," assented Shirley, "he has big possibilities, but I think he makes very small use of them."
Ryder appeared not to notice her commentary, and, still reading the book, he continued:
"On page 22 you call him 'the world's greatest individualized potentiality, a giant combination of materiality, mentality and money—the greatest exemplar of individual human will in existence to-day.' And you make indomitable will and energy the keystone of his marvellous success. Am I right?" He looked at her questioningly.
"Quite right," answered Shirley.
Ryder proceeded:
"On page 26 you say 'the machinery of his money-making mind typifies the laws of perpetual unrest. It must go on, relentlessly, resistlessly, ruthlessly making money-making money and continuing to make money. It cannot stop until the machinery crumbles.'"
Laying the book down and turning sharply on Shirley, he asked her bluntly:
"Do you mean to say that I couldn't stop to-morrow if I wanted to?"
She affected to not understand him.
"You?" she inquired in a tone of surprise.