“I’m not going to have anything for you.”
“It’s all right. I’ll wait.”
“I am definitely not interested.”
“All right, Mrs. Cool. All right, all right.” He picked up a magazine from the table, opened it at random, and apparently became instantly interested in the printed page.
Fosdick gallantly moved over to open the door of Bertha Cool’s private office, and then, bowing with well-mannered politeness, stood to one side.
Bertha, sailing on into the inner office, watched Fosdick close the door and stand by the big chair at the window, quite ostentatiously waiting for Bertha Cool to seat herself.
Sheer irritation caused Bertha to keep him standing for several unnecessary seconds before she adjusted herself in the depths of the swivel chair.
“You’ll understand of course,” Fosdick went on smoothly, “that the Intermutual Indemnity Company is not admitting any liability. We are only engaging in a preliminary discussion looking toward a compromise of an outstanding claim, and, as I suppose you realize, there are Supreme Court decisions to the effect that any statement made under such circumstances is not admissible in evidence — since it is the policy of the law to encourage settlements wherever possible.”
Bertha didn’t say anything.
“Now,” Fosdick went on as smoothly as flowing syrup, “we try to be just, Mrs. Cool. Many people think an insurance company is a heartless, soulless corporation intent only upon collecting as large premiums as possible on the one hand and paying out as small losses as possible on the other. The Inter-mutual Indemnity Company always endeavours to be fair. When our client is responsible, we make every effort to bring about a fair settlement, regardless of the financial expenditure.”