"I presume you are, but that ought not to be considered, when the question is about violating our fixed usage."
"It seems to me, considering my official connection with the bank, that a point might be strained in my favor."
"That is not my view, Mr. Courtney; although I am now president, I should not care to ask any special favor of the bank. I prefer to be treated like any other customer."
Mr. Courtney mentally voted Graves slow and behind the times. In his views, one great advantage of holding a high financial position was to favor himself and his own interests, without special regard to the welfare of the corporation or stockholders.
"You wouldn't find many bank presidents agree with you, Mr. Graves," said Courtney impatiently.
"I am sorry to hear it," returned the president gravely. "It seems to me that I owe a duty to the stockholders of the bank which ought to override any personal considerations."
"You are very quixotic in your ideas," said Courtney coldly.
"I am sure I am right, at any rate," returned Graves firmly.
"I consider your refusal unfriendly—nay, more, I think it is calculated to throw suspicion on my financial position."