human
Weel?
gpt
The ore's running poorer. On the other hand, I partly expected this. There's better stuff in the reef. We're a little too high, for one thing; I look for more encouraging results when we start the lower heading.
human
Yon workings will cost a good deal, he pointed out
gpt
Ye will no be able to make a start until we're sure of the money.
human
We ought to get it.
gpt
A month or two ago, I would have agreed with ye; but general investors are kittle folk, and the applications for the new stock are no numerous.
human
Howitson promised to subscribe largely; and Bendle pledged himself to take a considerable block.
gpt
I'm no denying it. But we have no been favored with their formal applications yet.
human
You had better tell me if you have anything particular in your mind,
gpt
I would have ye remember what I told ye about the average investor, he replied.
human
He has no often the boldness to trust his judgment nor the sense to ken a good thing when he sees it--he waits for a lead, and then joins the rush when other folk are going in. What makes a mineral or other stock a favorite for a time is now and then no easy to determine; but we'll allow that it becomes so--ye will see men who should have mair sense thronging to buy and running the price up. Like sheep they come in, each following the other; and like sheep they run out, if anything scares them. It's no difficult to start a panic.
gpt
The plain English of it is that the mine is not so popular as it was,
human
I'm thinking something of the kind, Nairn agreed. Then he proceeded with a cautious explanation:
gpt
The result of the first reduction and the way ye forced the concern on the market secured ye notice. Folk put their money on ye, looking for sensational developments, and when the latter are no forthcoming they feel a bit sore and disappointed.
human
There's nothing discouraging in our accounts. Even if the ore all ran as poor as that, --Vane pointed to the specimens on the table--
gpt
Just so. What was looked for was more than reasonable satisfaction--ye have no come up to expectations. Forby, it's my opinion that damaging reports have somehow leaked out from the mine. Just now I see clouds on the horizon.
human
Bendle pledged himself to take up a big block of the shares, repeated Vane.
gpt
If Howitson does the same, as he said he would, our position would be secure. As soon as it was known that they were largely interested, others would follow them.
human
Now ye have it in a nutshell--it would put a wet blanket on the project if they both backed down. In the meanwhile we canna hurry them. Ye will have to give them time.
gpt
We'll leave it at that. I've promised to take Mrs. Nairn and Miss Chisholm for a sail.