The best thing to do now is to get
those we have together and summon our solicitors here. Then our friend
Kenyon, who is a fluent speaker, can lay the case before them.'
Kenyon, who had not spoken at all during the interview, did not even
look up, and apparently did not hear the satirical allusion to his
eloquence.
'Very well; when would be a good time to call this meeting?'
'As soon as possible, I think,' said Longworth. 'What do you say to
Monday, at three o'clock? Men come from lunch about that hour, and are in
a good humour. If you send out a letter saying a meeting will be held
here in the directors' room at three o'clock, prompt, on Monday, I will
see the men and get them to come. Of course they are generally busy, and
may have other appointments; still, we must do something, and nothing can
be done until we get them together.'
'Right; the invitations to the meeting shall be sent out at once.'
Longworth rose, went to the desk and picked up a paper.
'What is this?' he said.
Kenyon looked up suddenly.
'That,' he said, flushing slightly, 'is our first subscription.'
'Who wrote the name of Miss Edith Longworth here?'
'The young lady herself.'
'Has she been here?'
'She called, and desired to be the first subscriber.'
'Nonsense!' cried Longworth, with a frown; 'we don't want any women in
this business;' and, saying that, he tore the paper in two.
Kenyon clenched his fist and was about to say something, when Wentworth's
hand came down on his shoulder.
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