human
Glad I met you. It will save my going on to your place,
gpt
Did you want to see me about something, Grantly?
human
Yes. To cut it short, I'm going out of business.
gpt
I expect most of the boys will regret it as much as I do, he said.
human
One could rely on anything sent out from your store, and there's no doubt that you have always treated us liberally.
gpt
That's just the trouble. I've been too blamed easy with some of you. If I'd kept a tighter hand on the folks who owed me money it's quite likely I'd have been able to meet my bills.
human
Is it as bad as that?
gpt
The fact is, things have been going against me the last three years. Nevis has been steadily cutting into my trade; but I held on somehow, expecting that a record harvest or a high market would put me straight. I'd have been able to get some of my money in again then. In the meanwhile I was getting behind with the makers who supplied me, and now one or two of them have pulled me up; I guess it was the hail that decided them. It's a private compromise, but the point is that Nevis takes over my liabilities.
human
It's bad news, said the latter.
gpt
Is he paying cash?
human
Part, Grantly answered.
gpt
The rest in bills. He has Brand, of Winnipeg, behind him, and he's good enough. In fact, I believe the man has been backing Nevis right along. He turned to Thorne.
human
Anyway, I've got to give the store up, and you'll have Nevis for a creditor instead of me. That's really what brought me over. The note you gave me calls for a good many dollars and it's due very soon.