“Shall we say £500? or ought I to go higher?”
“I don’t think,” said Smith, “that it will be necessary to give so much. If you will allow me to suggest, I’d say an offer of £10.”
For the first time since the interview began Donovan was startled.
“Ten pounds!” he said. “Do you mean ten?”
“Giving me permission to rise to twenty pounds if necessary,” said Smith.
“But an admiral!” said Donovan. “Remember he’s an admiral.”
“Yes, sir. But admirals aren’t quite the same thing here as in England. Don’t belong to the same class. Don’t draw the same salary.”
“Make it twenty-five pounds,” said Donovan. “I’d be ashamed to offer less to a Tammany boss.”
“Very good, sir, just as you please, sir.”