“I wasn't going to ask anything of the kind.” Bill spoke with much dignity.
“They are perfectly natural questions to ask, unless you had made up your mind to accept any offer blindly. I'd like to answer them, anyhow.”
“Then I guess you'd better,” said Bill, a trifle defiantly.
“I made that proposition to you because I've made it to others. I want you to realize as quickly as you can that in working for the company you are working for yourself. When a man is neither a hog nor an ass, I am perfectly willing to do business with him on his own terms. Just take it for granted that I know you as well as you know yourself. Am I taking such an awful risk, Bill?”
“But you don't know me,” said Bill, in duty bound.
Thompson smiled. “Well, your first question is answered. Now for the second.”
“There is no need of it, Mr. Thompson,” said Bill, with decision.
“Give me the pleasure of letting me tell you that there is no joker.”
Bill looked steadily at Mr. Thompson and said, “I didn't think there was any.”
“But now you know it,” said Thompson.