CHAPTER VI
Lucy's adventure had so taken up the attention of them both that they had forgotten all about the matter of the stock. Afterwards, however, Montague mentioned it, and Lucy exclaimed indignantly at the smallness of the offer.
“That is only ten cents on the dollar!” she cried. “You surely would not advise me to sell for that!”
“No, I should not,” he answered. “I should reject the offer. It might be well, however, to set a price for them to consider.”
They had talked this matter over before, and had agreed upon a hundred and eighty thousand dollars. “I think it will be best to state that figure,” he said, “and give them to understand that it is final. I imagine they would expect to bargain, but I am not much of a hand at that, and would prefer to say what I mean and stick by it.”
“Very well!” said Lucy, “you use your own judgment.”
There was a pause; then Montague, seeing the look on Lucy's face, started to his feet. “It won't do you any good to think about to-day's mishap,” he said. “Let's start over again, and not make any more mistakes. Come with me this evening. I have some friends who have been begging me to bring you around ever since you came.”
“Who are they?” asked Lucy.
“General Prentice and his wife. Do you know of them?”