"We are going to walk," Fred explained.
"Then you can surely spare me half an hour."
"What for?" Joe asked sharply.
"I wish to see if we can't arrive at some amicable settlement of the suit which I have been forced to bring."
"Wouldn't it been better to have talked first, an' then begun the law business?"
"In regard to that I had no alternative. The company ordered me to proceed exactly as I did."
"I'd like to hear what's goin' on down there," Bill shouted from above, and Fred said:
"It's no more than fair that we should go upstairs. He's got the right to know what Mr. Wright proposes."
"Yes, I prefer to speak with all the partners, though perhaps there is no necessity of sending for Thorpe."
"We haven't got the time to do that," Joe replied. "Come on, an' let's get through with the business as soon as we can, for we're due in Blacktown mighty soon."