His heart beat fast with expectations and fears as he ascended the brown stone steps of Mr. Goldwin’s house.
“Good evening, Mr. Randolph,” said the banker, greeting Herbert very cordially. “I hope you have a good report of today’s transactions for me.”
“Yes, I think this statement of the transactions will please you,” replied young Randolph politely.
“Excellent,” exclaimed the banker with a smile of satisfaction, as he read the report. “You have done a splendid day’s work. The market must have been unusually active. Why, here is a transaction of twenty thousand shares by one house alone—great customers, Breakwell & Co., great customers, bold men—not afraid of anything.”
“They certainly seem to be very enterprising,” remarked Herbert, feeling the necessity of saying something, and that that something should concur with his employer’s views.
“Most assuredly they are,” answered the banker, warming to the subject. “Why, if we had more houses like Breakwell & Co., Wall Street would see no dull days—no, sir, none at all. On the contrary, it would just hum with activity.”
“I suppose they are perfectly good, Mr. Goldwin,” remarked Herbert, not knowing what better reply to make.
“Good? Why, they are rated A1, and are reported to be very rich,” replied the banker.
“Did they make their money by speculating?”
“Yes, I understand so.”