“Saxby, you are the most obstinate, aggravating man I ever did know. Look here; will not these figures convince you?”
“No, ma’am; only make me more obstinate—more aggravating still.”
“Then what do these figures mean?”
“Mean, madam? To trap spinster ladies with small incomes, half-pay officers, poor clergymen with miserable livings—the whole lot of poor genteel people, and those who like to dabble in investments—people who can’t afford to lose, and people who can. Why, my dear madam, use your own judgment. If there were a safe fifteen per cent, there, the shares would be gone in one hour, and at a heavy premium the next.”
“Humph!” said Aunt Sophia. “Of course you do all my nephew’s business?”
“Yes, madam; it all comes here.”
“You know what shares he holds?”
“I think so. Of course, he may have been to other brokers; but he would not have done so without good reason.”
“As far as you can, then,” said Aunt Sophia, “keep an eye upon what are sold, and I should like to be made acquainted with any sales that may take place.”
“Well, really, my dear Miss Raleigh, such a proceeding—”