“We can’t allow you to run those extra machines.”
“It’s war, then?”
“I hope not that, but we’ll have to point out to you that one mill can’t upset the whole industry.”
“And I’ll point out to you that this mill can do as it everlastingly pleases. Let’s go back to the hotel. Is it shake hands or fight?”
“I’m afraid it’ll have to be fight.”
“Then,” Jim said—and all of a sudden he felt grimly glad, and a grimly glad smile lighted his face “then I guess I’ll fire the first shot. Our inventory shows we’ve got fifty thousand boxes in the old warehouse. They go on the market to-morrow at five tens off the present price—and if that doesn’t suit you I’ll cut off another ten or so.”
“But—but, my boy, you’re crazy. You’ll lose money on every box you sell.”
“So will you—and you’ve got more to sell than I have just now. You can watch me send the telegram,” Jim said.
“Young man, you’re a bit sudden,” said Mr. Welliver.
“I may be sudden, sir, but you’ll find I’m lasting, too. When this ruction calms down one of two things will have happened: I’ll be busted or the Club will have learned to stick to the purpose for which it was formed.”