human
I got your letter at Fort William as I was coming here, he said.
gpt
It seemed to need an explanation. What d'you mean by giving me warning to quit?
human
I thought I'd better send you notice that we may terminate our arrangements in three months, as we have the option of doing,
gpt
But why do you want to terminate them?
human
We may shut down the Rain Bluff. It's not paying.
gpt
What has that to do with it?
human
It ought to be obvious, Andrew said curtly.
gpt
If the mine won't pay, it must be closed. Allinson's is not in the habit of carrying on a business for its private benefit at the investors' expense.
human
I shouldn't have thought it, Mappin sneered, and looked hard at Andrew.
gpt
You seem to be taking a pretty decided line. May I ask whom you are speaking for?
human
For myself, in the first place, but I believe the shareholders would support me. Though I haven't interfered much so far, I'm the head of the firm.
gpt
I'm afraid you have kept out of business so long that you don't quite understand matters. Your brother-in-law has arranged things here much better than you, in your inexperience, could do. This proposition's too big and complicated for a beginner to meddle with; you'd only involve yourself and everybody concerned in a deplorable mess. Be warned and let up. Make any small improvements and economies you can, but leave the main points of Hathersage's scheme alone.
human
So far, I can't tell what changes may be necessary, but I expect to make them, whatever they are, as occasion arises.
gpt
Then hadn't you better wait until you know?
human
Suppose you tear this thing up?
gpt
No, Andrew said firmly;
human
Oh, well, said Mappin, with an air of ironic resignation,
gpt
I'll continue to look after your transport until the time expires. Now that we understand things, let's talk of something else. Have you seen Frobisher lately? I'm going across to his place after supper.