"What's this for?" he inquired.
"For you—to wear always. Every knight in my Round Table book has a token from his lady-love."
"I shall wear it next my heart," Allen told her. "And now, fair Lady
Pat, good-bye."
The child made a magnificent courtesy. "Good-bye, Sir Launcelot, 'til death asunder."
XIII
John Covington's mind had been fully occupied during the few days which succeeded Harris's call. Inwardly he blamed himself as a bungler not to have covered his footsteps with greater skill; outwardly he was as unruffled and self-satisfied as ever. He called on Brady with Harris, as he promised. He allowed them both to explain their plans with even greater detail than Harris's previous disclosures. He listened, calmly and unprotestingly, to their confident statements as to what they proposed to make him, as a director in the Consolidated Companies, do for them. Then with equal serenity he flatly declined to yield to the pressure brought to bear upon him.
"I suppose you understand what this means to you," Brady snapped, angered by the unexpected refusal.
"Better than you do, I feel certain."
"What will the virtuous Mr. Gorham say when he finds out that you hold all that stock?"
"He will give your statement no credence whatever."