human
Buy standard railway shares, he suggested,
gpt
But I want to do better than four-and-a-half-per-cent. It costs something to live.
human
I mean, you would have your profit in the advances. But your present income ought to cover a very liberal scale of living,
gpt
That is true, assented MacBirney, with smiling candor,
human
he asked, coming to the point in his mind,
gpt
There are always chances if you are closely enough in touch with general conditions. Charles keeps better track of those things than I do; suppose you talk with him.
human
Charles sends me to you,
gpt
Our shares seem just now to be one of the speculative favorites, returned Kimberly.
human
That means, as you know, violent fluctuations.
gpt
Put me next on any one of your own plans, Mr. Kimberly, that you might feel like trusting me with,
human
I don’t often have any speculative schemes of my own, returned Kimberly.
gpt
However, he hesitated a moment; MacBirney leaned forward.
human
Doane, continued Kimberly abruptly,
gpt
By Jove, I wish I could get in on a movement like that, Mr. Kimberly. With you behind it----
human
I am not behind it--only not opposed to it. For my part, I never advise any one to speculate in our securities. I can’t do it. I do business with speculators, but I never speculate myself. You don’t credit that, do you? What I mean is this: I never take chances. If it is necessary, for cogent reasons, to move our securities up or down, I am in a position to do so without taking any extreme chances. That is natural, isn’t it?
gpt
I’d like to be fixed that way for just one year of my life!
human
If you were you would find plenty of other things to engage your attention.
gpt
Well, can you do anything for me on this present deal?
human
Yes, he said finally,
gpt
Not at all. I want to play safe.
human
Place your orders to-day and to-morrow then for what common you can carry. Hamilton will let you have what money you need--or he will get it for you. Then forget all about your investment until I tell you to sell. Don’t question the advice, but get out promptly at that moment no matter what you hear or what the market looks like. Can you do that? And keep your own counsel?
gpt
Trust me.
human
Good luck then. And if it should come bad, try not to feel incensed at me,
gpt
Surely not!
human
But you will, just the same. At least, that is my experience.
gpt
What about the winter, Mr. Kimberly--are you going in town?
human
I haven’t decided.