They wrangled about goodwill for ten minutes. Then Maurice said casually:
“I suppose you’ve got to pay out a good deal of money to Simpson’s estate.”
“A certain amount,” admitted Peter, “and frankly that’s one of the reasons why I’m anxious to dispose of the business. You see, it’s a bad time to get rid of outside investments”—he spoke as if he had millions of them—“and although Simpson’s capital was not enormous, I don’t feel inclined to realize a lot of shares so as to replace it.”
“So you want us to do it for you,” said Maurice.
“Your position’s different to mine. You’re both here to look after things: I’m not.”
“That’s quite true,” interrupted Charlie.
Maurice, who wanted the business badly but did not wish to appear over-keen, looked angrily across at his brother; took up the running himself.
“You’d want to be paid in cash, I suppose?” he said.
“Take your own time about that,” answered Peter largely. “If it suits you better to pay me out as you realize the stock and book-debts, I don’t mind. There’ll be interest, of course.”
Maurice came back to the question of goodwill; was sheered off by Peter; began to fish for figures. But these, his antagonist refused to give.