The Yale expositor., 1914-08-06
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|
day"
They will be properly filled by to-
morrow"
Thank you"
He disappeared She relaxed in the
familiar, comfortable old leather-cush-
! Toned chair, and closed her eyes.
There was a sharp little line between
them, but it was hidden by the veil.
The door opened slowly and Red
mond Wrandall came into the room.
She arose at once.
This is-er-an unexpected pleas
ure, Sara" he said perpleXed and i'll
at-ease. He stopped just inside the
! door he had been careful to close be-
hind him, and did not offer her his
hand.
Il came down to attend to some
business. Mr.. Wrandall," she said
"Business?" he repeated, staring.
She took note of the tired haggard
look in his eyes, and the tightly
compressed lips.
Il intend to dispose of my entire in
terest in Wrandall & Co." she an
pounced calmly,
He took a step forward, plainly
startled by the declaration.
Whats this?" he demanded sharp.
ly.
I'VE may as we'll speak plainly, Mr.
Wrandall," she said You do not
care to have me remain a member OF
the firm. nor do blame you for feel
ing as you do about it. A year ago
you offered to buy me out-or off. as
took 1t to be at the time. had rea-
sons then for not selling out to you.
Today am ready either to buy or to
sell"
"You-you amaze me-" he exclaim-
ed.
Does you offer OF last December
still stand?"
II think we would better have
| Leslie in, Sara. This is most unex-
pected l don't quite feel up to"
Have Leslie in by all means" she
said, resuming her seat.
He hesitated a moment, opened his
lips as if to speak. and then abruptly
left the room.
Sara smiled.
Many minutes passed before the two
Wrandalls put in an appearance. She
understood the delay. They were
telephoning to certain legal advisers.
whats this ! hear, Sara?" demand
ed Leslie. extending his hand after a
seconds hesitation.
She shock hands with him, not list
lessly but with the vigor born of nerv-
business.
81 don't know what you've heard"
she said pointedly.
His slim fingers went searching for
! the end of his moustache
"Why-why, about selling out TO
US" he stammered.
81 am willing to retire from the firm
OF Wrandall & Co." she said.
Father says the business is as good
as it was q year ago, but / don't agree
with him." said the son, trying to
look lugubrious.
Then you don't care to repeat your
original proposition?"
We'll, the way business has been
falling off"
Perhaps you would prefer to sell
out to me-" she remarked quietly.
'Not at ALL" he said quickly, with
surprised glance at his father. 1--WE
couldn't think of letting the business
pass out of the Wrandall name"
you forget that my name is Wran-
DALI" she rejoined. There would be
no occasion to change the firms
name; merely it's membership"
Our original offer stands" said the
senior Wrandall stifhy. I'VE prefer
to buy"
And l to sell. Mr.. Carroll will
meet you tomorrow, gentlemen. He
will represent me as usual Our bust
ness as we'll as social relations are
about to end, ! suppose. My only re-
greet is that l cannot further accom-
modate you by changing my name
Still you may live in hope that time
may work even that wonder for you"
She arose. The two men regarded
her In an aggrieved way for a mo-
ment
II have no real feeling of hostility
toward you. Sara" said Leslie nerv.
ously. "in spite of all that you said
the other night"
II am afraid you don't mean that
deep down in your heart, Leslie" she
said with a queer little smile.
But do" he protested. Hang II
all, we've live in a glass house our.
selves, Sara. l dare say. in way,
was quite as unpleasant as the rest
of the family. You see, we just can't
help being snobs. It's in us, that's all
there is to II"
Mr.. Wrandall looked up. from the
floor, his gaze having dropped at the
first outburst from his sons lips
We've prefer to be friendly Sara.
II you will allow US"
She laughed and the old gentleman
stopped in the middle of his sentence.
eve can't be friends. Mr.. Wran.
dali" she said. suddenly serious. "The
pretence would be a mockery. We
are all better off If we allow our paths.