human
MORGENSTEIN & BRUN.
gpt
Then it's not steel filings--you never told me,
human
You insisted it was filings, your railroad insisted it was junk, and you sold it for junk as instructed, so why the argument?
gpt
No argument at all, Ben; the Morgan Line steamer sails to-morrow. Sell the stuff and buy a boat. I've saved some money, but boats are scarce and high. I haven't enough--what d'ye say, eh?
human
You haven't found a boat to buy yet, and maybe you will not need one--besides, if Morgenstein & Brun offer a dollar a pound and are in a hurry, it may be worth more--I only asked them for an analysis to know for certain what it was. I didn't ask for a market,
gpt
But you may miss the only chance--and--we need the money. We've got to have a boat,
human
So far we are out less than a ten-dollar bill and can afford to take a chance--as I say, we must first decide definitely that a boat is necessary, and then the hardest part comes--everything from a row-boat up is working overtime now.
gpt
Maybe you are right, but if it was up to me I would sell it so infernally quick it would make 'em dizzy,
human
Don't resign, Hiram, I said, hesitating, before going out of the room to dine,
gpt
All right, Ben--but bear in mind that as soon as I get out of this I am going to quit 'em for good; there's something else for me to do in this town. The railroad game is too strenuous at best for the returns. It's good drill and I'm glad to get the experience and discipline, but the returns are a minus quantity.