‘Partners?—Yes,—we will be partners.’
‘It will cost a terrific sum.’
‘There are some things which never can cost too much.’
‘That’s not my experience.’
‘I hope it will be mine.’
‘It’s a bargain?’
‘On my side, I promise you that it’s a bargain.’
When I got outside the room I found that Percy Woodville was at my side. His round face was, in a manner of speaking, as long as my arm. He took his glass out of his eye, and rubbed it with his handkerchief,—and directly he put it back he took it out and rubbed it again. I believe that I never saw him in such a state of fluster,—and, when one speaks of Woodville, that means something.
‘Atherton, I am in a devil of a stew.’ He looked it. ‘All of a heap!—I’ve had a blow which I shall never get over!’
‘Then get under.’