"Not at all; the pressure will continue until scores more are brought down. Better fail at once than live in dread of it."
"You surprise me! Why, you are not in danger?"
"Did you ever consider? Look at the bales of goods in our lofts,—goods which nobody will buy and nobody can pay for. And our acceptances have been given to the manufacturers for them,—acceptances that are maturing daily. Up to this time I have taken up all our paper, as it became due; but God knows how the next payments are to be made."
"I had not thought of that."
"The house of Lindsay & Co. has never known dishonor"—
The merchant wiped his spectacles,—but it was the eyes that were dim, not the glasses. His lips quivered and his breath came hard, as he continued,—
"But the time has come; the house must go down."
"I hope not," said Monroe, fervently. "Can nothing be done?"
"Nothing. Every resource has been used. The banks won't discount; and I suppose they can't; they are fully as weak as their customers."
"I don't know but the offer may be useless, contemptible, even; but I have a small sum, in good notes, that may be available."