human
Sorry to keep you waiting, he said.
gpt
Let us have lunch at once. You have not been here long, I hope.
human
Only a few moments, said Alington;
gpt
A fine habit, murmured Jack.
human
How punctual we should be between us!
gpt
I did not see you last night at the Embassy, said Jack.
human
I thought you were sure to be there. Kit told me she had an invitation sent you, and busy men like you always seem to have time for everything.
gpt
One has all the time there is, said Alington;
human
Indeed? Good news, I hope.
gpt
Excellent news. We shall very soon require your services.
human
Ah! What will you drink?
gpt
Thanks, I never touch wine at lunch. A little water, please. I am a bit of an ascetic in certain ways. Yes, the news was excellent. I shall get out a prospectus at once, and float the companies. Out of the five mines, the same reef, a very rich one, runs through three. The other two are outliers from this reef, but there appears to be a good deal of surface gold. They ought to begin paying at once almost. I propose making two groups out of these five mines--one comprising the outliers, the other three the main reef. Or we might amalgamate them later. I strongly recommend your purchasing these outliers in large quantities. That, at least, is what I intend to do myself.
human
It is easy to recommend my making large purchases, he said;
gpt
You will not need to cover, he said.
human
Pay the first call, or, at most, the first two calls. I assure you that that will be all that is necessary. Unless I am much more mistaken than I have ever been in my life, the price will rise very soon and very considerably. You must remember that you draw a salary as a director. If you wish, I will advance that for this year.
gpt
That would be very convenient,
human
The first call will be half a crown, continued Alington.
gpt
A thousand pounds will thus enable you to command eight thousand shares.
human
It is a long time since I have had eight thousand anythings, remarked Jack;
gpt
Of course, I don't count debts. I never count debts. But what will happen to me if the shares do not go up?
human
The shares will go up, said Alington dryly.
gpt
I should advise you to put yourself entirely in my hands about this. I simply cannot be wrong. As a director, you are bound to hold shares. I recommend you to put the greater part of them into these two outlying mines.
human
I ask nothing better than to be guided by you, said Jack.
gpt
Many thanks for the hint.
human
And I should like to have a meeting of the directors on Tuesday, he said,