"You will soon come to see the need of that," replied the capitalist, with a light wave of his hand.
"We do not see it," replied Farnum. "Nor do we intend to. Further, we are disturbed by what you have made only too plain, that you intend to get complete control of this business, and make Pollard and myself merely subordinates in the affairs here."
"Not as bad as that," protested the capitalist, with a smile. "Of course, in view of the very large amount of money we are offering, we must have some voice in the management of—"
"Not this business!" interjected the boatbuilder, with emphasis.
"But, man, you must have the money!"
"We'll do without it, or get it somewhere else," went on the boatbuilder, patiently. "We thank you, Mr. Melville, and those associated with you, but Mr. Pollard and I have decided to go no further in the present negotiations."
"What's that?" demanded George Melville, springing to his feet. "You don't want our money?"
"We won't take it—not at the price you set on it," responded Farnum, bluntly.
For the first time the capitalist appeared decidedly uneasy.
"You don't mean this, Farnum," he answered. "You're excited; perhaps alarmed over something that I have said, or which you thought I intimated."