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Chapter 21. Mr Merdle’s Complaint

           

           Whentheyrose,somanyofthemagnateshadsomethingtosaytoMrMerdleindividuallythatheheldlittleleveesbythesideboard,andcheckedthemoffastheywentoutatthedoor.

           TreasuryhopedhemightventuretocongratulateoneofEngland’sworld-famedcapitalistsandmerchant-princes(hehadturnedthatoriginalsentimentinthehouseafewtimes,anditcameeasytohim)onanewachievement.Toextendthetriumphsofsuchmenwastoextendthetriumphsandresourcesofthenation;andTreasuryfelt—hegaveMrMerdletounderstand—patrioticonthesubject.

           ‘Thankyou,mylord,’saidMrMerdle;‘thankyou.Iacceptyourcongratulationswithpride,andIamgladyouapprove.’

           ‘Why,Idon’tunreservedlyapprove,mydearMrMerdle.Because,’smilingTreasuryturnedhimbythearmtowardsthesideboardandspokebanteringly,‘itnevercanbeworthyourwhiletocomeamongusandhelpus.’

           MrMerdlefelthonouredbythe—

           ‘No,no,’saidTreasury,‘thatisnotthelightinwhichonesodistinguishedforpracticalknowledgeandgreatforesight,canbeexpectedtoregardit.Ifweshouldeverbehappilyenabled,byaccidentallypossessingthecontrolovercircumstances,toproposetoonesoeminentto—tocomeamongus,andgiveustheweightofhisinfluence,knowledge,andcharacter,wecouldonlyproposeittohimasaduty.Infact,asadutythatheowedtoSociety.’

           MrMerdleintimatedthatSocietywastheappleofhiseye,andthatitsclaimswereparamounttoeveryotherconsideration.Treasurymovedon,andBarcameup.

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