Part 9 (2/2)
”Gracious, how swell! The Foreign Office! And thus do we attain to the honor of telephoning to the Foreign Office,” he added satirically.
”What shall the answer be, Joshua? that we are at home?”
”Surely, if you wish to receive him. I cannot understand your excitement, dearest. You have received a Regierungsrat in your drawing-rooms before this, even an Oberregierungsrat. There was a time when Mr. Breitbach found our Moet rather fair....”
”There _was_ a time, Benas!”
He frowned. ”Well, that's something that cannot be altered, dear child.”
At this moment his confidential clerk, Elkish, was announced.
”Even though the 'Magdeburgs' rise ever so high,” she answered ironically.
”But that need not hinder you from receiving the Regierungsrat. We're still good for something, I suppose. What think you, Elkish?” he called to him as he entered.
”I do not know to what you refer.”
”Well, what else can I refer to but our balance-sheet?”
”As regards that, the firm of Joshua Benas has no need to hide its head,” the old clerk responded proudly.
”Well, do you see, dear child?” he said to his wife. ”Do as you think best, I rely upon your judgment. You always do the right thing.”
She rose. ”I will not interrupt you any longer.”
”I should like to finish this matter before dinner. There is not much time left.”
”Then I shall have Francis telephone that we are at home, and we expect him.” She waited at the door.
”Yes, that's all right,” he answered, already absorbed in the papers his clerk had spread before him.
”Good-by, Benas! Good-by, Mr. Elkish.”
”Good-by, my child,” he called to her as she was leaving.
”This only awaits your signature, Mr. Benas. Here. A dividend of fourteen per cent and a half.”
”Really, Elkish? I'm delighted!”
”Yes, and here, 240,000 mark in the sinking fund, then 516,000 mark for surplus.”
”Excellent! Splendid!” He put on his eyegla.s.ses and signed the various papers placed before him.
”And who do you think will be elected to the board this year?”
”I thought Glucksmann and Ettinger.”
”The time for the Breitbachs and Knesebecks is past.... Well, as far as I am concerned, both of them may count upon my vote.”
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