prospects?"

"My employers are straight people and pay me as much as they can afford.
They treat me well, though they're a small firm and the mine is not
prospering. In fact, I expect they'll have some trouble to hold out
until we reach good ore."

"The risk of their not holding out is rather a curious argument for your
staying."

Thirlwell was silent for a few moments, and his face was hard when he
resumed: "I know something about the combine's methods--Masters, who's
still with one of the companies Sir James bought up, writes to me. I
suppose one mustn't be too fastidious, but there are things the man who
takes the post I'm offered will be expected to do; things I haven't done
yet and mean to leave alone. You have often to throw your scruples
overboard when you pay big dividends."

Allott chuckled. "The combine does not pay big dividends. It's a
grievance of the shareholders'."

"Oh, well; Sir James was knighted, and I hear about another director
building a hospital. One doesn't get honors for nothing. They're
expensive."

"Jim," said Allott reproachfully, "you're talking like your father, and
while airing one's views may be harmless, trying to live up to them
doesn't always pay. Taking that line cost him much; I thought you
wiser."