human
Poor Richard? said she,
gpt
Nay, I ought to ask you that question, you who know every thing that goes on in our set, said the young serpent. Any tree planted in
human
I have just been at our friend Levy's, said Randal when he and Dick were outside the street door.
gpt
He, like you, is full of politics--pleasant man--for the business he is said to do.
human
Well, said Dick slowly,
gpt
I suppose he _is_ pleasant, but make the best of it--and still--
human
Still what, my dear Avenel?
gpt
Still the thing itself is not pleasant.
human
You mean borrowing money upon more than five per cent?
gpt
Oh, curse the per centage. I agree with Bentham on the Usury Laws--no shackles in trade for me, whether in money or any thing else. That's not it. But when one owes a fellow money even at two per cent, and 'tis not convenient to pay him, why, somehow or other, it makes one feel small; it takes the British Liberty out of a man!
human
I should have thought you more likely to lend money than to borrow it.
gpt
Well, I guess you are right there, as a general rule. But I tell you what it is, sir; there is too great a mania for competition getting up in this rotten old country of ours. I am as liberal as most men. I like competition to a certain extent, but there is too much of it, sir--too much of it!