“The best part of England, I mean. I hope I shan't see anything like their terrible slums.”
The elderly industrialist rose to the bait. “Our working people are getting double wages now. You will see them wearing silk socks and shirts, and buying themselves cars on the installment plan. They will soon be our masters.”
“I was told the same thing in England, sir. People complain about the taxes there. The owners of the great estates say that they are going to have to break them up. Do you think that will happen in this country?”
“Apparently we plan to finance our share of the war by means of loans,” replied the president of Budd's. “It is a dangerous procedure.”
“M. Zaharoff talked about that. He doesn't seem to object to war loans of any size. Maybe it is because he is getting so large a share of the proceeds.”
“Ahem! Yes,” said the grandfather. “I am happy to say that Budd's have not conducted their affairs on the same fly-by-night basis as Zaharoff.”
The art of conversation is highly esteemed in France, and Lanny had acquired it. He had heard the worldly-wise Baroness de la Tourette declare that the one certain way to interest a man was to get him to talking about his own affairs. A beginning having been made in this case, Lanny went on to remark: “I find that Budd's have a very good reputation abroad, sir.”
“Humph! They want our products just now.”
“Yes, sir; but I mean with persons who are disinterested.”
“Who, for example?”