“That,” Mrs. Acton said, “isn’t quite the question. I think I pointed out what I expect from you.”
Acton’s eyes twinkled. “You did,” he assured her. “I’ll try to set things in train the first time I go down to the city.”
This was somewhat vague, but Mrs. Acton was satisfied. Nevertheless, she said nothing to Nasmyth on the subject, and next afternoon he left Bonavista for Victoria. A day or two later he called by appointment at the office of a certain land exploitation agency, and found Hutton waiting for him. Hutton, who sat with his elbows on the table, pointed to a chair.
“You have taken my view of the thing?” he said in a questioning tone. “If you’ll sit down a minute, I’ll call my clerk in, and he’ll get the papers ready.”
Nasmyth smiled. “I don’t think you need trouble to do that just yet. You see, I haven’t the least intention of closing with your offer.”
It is just possible that Hutton had expected this, but, in any case, he betrayed no astonishment. He leaned forward, regarding his visitor with an almost expressionless face.
“Then,” he returned, “I’ll hear your proposition.”
“What do you think of the one I had the pleasure of making you some time ago?” Nasmyth inquired.
“Quite out of the question.”
Nasmyth smiled. “That,” he remarked, “is in one sense a pity, as I couldn’t repeat it to-day. If we are to do business together, I should have to ask you for a considerably 213 larger share of the profit. In fact, I was wondering if you could see your way to offer half as much again.”