“Dispose of something,” said Quarm cheerily.
“Dispose of what? Coals? No one wants coals now.”
“Then something else.”
“Wool, and lose on every pound? That were fatal. I have not paid for all the wool yet. I want money to satisfy the coal-merchant, money to meet the bill I gave Coaker; and then the agent for the bank which has its hold on the Brimpts estate says we may not remove a stick till everything is paid.”
“Then do not remove,” said Quarm. “Sell on the spot.”
“To whom?”
“There are plenty will buy.”
“Why have you not advertised?” asked Pasco testily.
“For one thing, because I did not know you were in immediate need of cash; for the other, because, till the timber is down, it cannot be measured. Never sell sticks standing. A timber merchant will always buy the trees before felled, and many a landowner is fool enough to sell standing trees. The merchant knows his gain; the landlord does not know his loss.”
“Felled or unfelled, I must realise. My condition is desperate. I cannot meet any of the demands on me.”