Hagh’s expression was tolerant. “It is perfectly correct, sir. I can feel no regret or embarrassment at being put in the class with the charming Mrs. Jaffee.” He smiled irresistibly at Sarah, who was next to him.
Pitkin untwisted to his normal position, focusing on Wolfe from under his brows. He sniffed. “You see what I mean when I say that life is nothing but bookkeeping?”
Wolfe nodded. “It’s not too recondite for me. How about Miss Eads? Wasn’t her position essentially the same as Mrs. Jaffee’s? Wasn’t she also a parasite? Or had the interest she had recently shown in the business made her an earner?”
“No. That was no service to the corporation. It was an interference.”
“Then she had earned nothing?”
“That’s right.”
“And deserved nothing?”
“That’s right.”
“But in a week she would have taken title to ninety per cent of the company’s stock, leaving you earners with nothing but your salaries. Wasn’t that deplorable?”
“Yes. We all thought so.”