His father was promptly convinced.
“That is very true. In a couple of years you can put by six or seven thousand francs, and that well laid out, will go a long way. What do you think of the matter, Louise?”
She replied in a voice so low as to be scarcely audible:
“I think Pierre is right.”
Roland exclaimed:
“I will go and talk it over with M. Poulin: I know him very well. He is assessor of the Chamber of Commerce and takes an interest in the affairs of the Company. There is M. Lenient, too, the ship-owner, who is intimate with one of the vice-chairmen.”
Jean asked his brother:
“Would you like me to feel my way with M. Marchand at once?”
“Yes, I should be very glad.”
After thinking a few minutes Pierre added: