"Charity! We are a very charitable concern!"
Mr. Dround's lips trembled, and he cried out rather than spoke:—
"No, never! Better to fail! Better to go bankrupt at once!"
He was talking to himself. Then he recollected us and said with dignity:—
"That is all, Mr. Carmichael. After this I shall attend to all such matters myself. Good morning, gentlemen."
He sat down at his desk, dismissing us. Carmichael was shaking with anger.
"No!" he cried, "it isn't all! Turn me out of your office like a boy, with my orders, when it's me that have stood between you and ruin any day these ten years! What would your business be worth if it weren't for John Carmichael? Ask Harrington here. Go out and ask your bank—"
"I don't believe we need to discuss this any further—" Mr. Dround began.
"Yes, we will! Get somebody else to do your dirty business for you. For, let me tell you right here, Henry I. Dround, that I don't go broke with you, not for all your college talk and prin-ci-ples."
Mr. Dround pointed to the door. He was trembling again. I took the big Irishman by the arm and led him from the office. Outside the door he shook me off, and hurled himself into his own office.