"this Mrs. Bagstock seems to think we are using her badly. As a matter
of fact, those Inter-Lake shareholders were lucky. We might have
frozen them out altogether. You understand, eh?"

I nods.

"But I can't put that in a letter," he goes on. "It could be explained
in a personal interview, however."

"I get you," says I. "I'll 'phone for her to come around."

"No!" he roars. "You'll do nothing of the sort. What the rhythmic
rhomboids put that into your head? I don't want to see the woman.
I'll not see her, not on any pretext. Understand?"

"I think so," says I.

"Then get your hat," says he.

"Yes, sir," says I, edging out.

"Just a moment," says Old Hickory. "You are to explain to Mrs.
Bagstock fully: assure her that in the long run she will not be the
loser, and so on. As courteously as you know how. And--er--if in the
course of the interview you should happen to learn her given
name--er--just remember it."

"Such as Ella May or Josephine?"

"No!" he snaps. "Natalie. Now clear out."