"The ore's running poorer. On the other hand, I partly expected this.
There's better stuff in the reef. We're a little too high, for one thing;
I look for more encouraging results when we start the lower heading."
He went into details of the new operations, and when he finished Nairn looked up from the figures he had been jotting down.
"Yon workings will cost a good deal," he pointed out "Ye will no be able to make a start until we're sure of the money."
"We ought to get it."
Nairn looked thoughtful.
"A month or two ago, I would have agreed with ye; but general investors are kittle folk, and the applications for the new stock are no numerous."
"Howitson promised to subscribe largely; and Bendle pledged himself to take a considerable block."
"I'm no denying it. But we have no been favored with their formal applications yet."
"You had better tell me if you have anything particular in your mind,"
Vane said bluntly.
An unqualified affirmation is not strictly in accordance with the
Scottish character, and Nairn was seldom rash.