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Chapter 21
Iamtheheadofthisold,influential,andmuch-respectedfirm;andwhenIconsiderthetimehascometorevolutionisethebusiness,Iwilldoitmyself.”
Icouldseemygoodmasterwassomewhataffected,andIsaid:“Ihope,sir,youdonotimaginethatIhaveinanywaycountenancedmyson’sunwarrantableinterference?”Mr.Perkupprosefromhisseatandtookmyhand,andsaid:“Mr.Pooter,Iwouldassoonsuspectmyselfassuspectyou.”Iwassoagitatedthatintheconfusion,toshowmygratitudeIverynearlycalledhima“grandoldman.”
FortunatelyIcheckedmyselfintime,andsaidhewasa“grandoldmaster.”IwassounaccountableformyactionsthatIsatdown,leavinghimstanding.Ofcourse,Iatoncerose,butMr.Perkuppbademesitdown,whichIwasverypleasedtodo.Mr.Perkupp,resuming,said:“Youwillunderstand,Mr.Pooter,thatthehigh-standingnatureofourfirmwillnotadmitofourbendingtoanybody.IfMr.Crowbillonchoosestoputhisworkintootherhands—IMayadd,lessexperiencedhands—itisnotforustobendandbegbackhiscustom.”“Youshallnotdoit,sir,”Isaidwithindignation.“Exactly,”repliedMr.Perkupp;“Ishallnotdoit.ButIwasthinkingthis,Mr.Pooter.Mr.Crowbillonisourmostvaluedclient,andIwillevenconfess—forIknowthiswillnotgobeyondourselves—thatwecannotaffordverywelltolosehim,especiallyinthesetimes,whicharenotofthebrightest.Now,Ifancyyoucanbeofservice.”
Ireplied:“Mr.
