He mentioned these objections to his uncle’s plan; but the lawyers only smiled at the idea of a man even thinking of such disqualifications as obstacles to his own immediate gain.
‘I have known many men who were slow enough to give away a fortune,’ said Mr Hawkins, emphasising his words by rubbing his bald head with the eye-glasses, as he gazed almost reproachfully at this singular young man; ‘but I never before met a person who was slow to accept one.’
‘I daresay; but this position is a little curious. You may set aside at once the project that I should take the money and do nothing for it. Mr Shield’s wish is sufficient to bind me to go into trade of some sort; but in doing so, I may make ducks and drakes of his gift in no time.’
‘My dear sir, money always makes money if it be guided with even moderate prudence; and I give you credit for possessing that quality to a sufficient degree.’
Philip bowed in acknowledgment of this good opinion.
‘Besides, Mr Shield does not mean that you should be set adrift without rudder or compass. He will be always ready to advise; and I need not say that you may always command our best attention. Also he would expect you to appoint some competent person as your manager, who would be capable of directing the course of your affairs.’
‘Ah—Wrentham would be the man, if we could only make it worth his while to join me.’
‘We have no doubt, from what we know of Mr Wrentham, that he would consider it much to his advantage to undertake any charge with which you may be disposed to intrust him.’
‘I must have time to think over it all,’ said Philip, whilst a thousand visions were dancing before his mind’s eye, like the dazzling spray of sparks struck from iron at white-heat by a blacksmith’s sledge-hammer.
‘Certainly, certainly. It is especially mentioned that you are to take whatever time you may require to settle how you shall proceed. Mr Shield is anxious to see you begin operations, but he has no desire to hurry you.’