Part 30 (1/2)
”Yes. I see dollars in this, for me.”
”You think I'm foolis.h.!.+”
”It will be an excellent road.”
”But the result?”
”Please don't blame the engineer.”
”Oh, tell me what you think, as a man.”
”Well, let's pretend I'm Polly.”
I laughed.
”Being Polly, and from my Polly point of view, frankly, I'm pleased.
Here are hundreds of new customers, with Madame Scotson's money to spend at Spite House.”
”My men will sign an agreement. The man who visits Spite House forfeits a bonus for good service, loses all outstanding pay, and leaves my camp that day.”
”Is that so? Of course the coaches change horses at Spite House.”
”When I've bought out the stage company, they'll change horses at the New Hundred.”
”And only stop at Spite House for the mails?”
”I shall appeal to the postmaster-general.”
”On the ground that you're running a rival house? Captain Taylor, you say, did that.”
”My house shall charge nothing. It shall be free, and the visitors my guests.”
”Then, in my little Polly way, I'm afraid I'll have to move Spite House down to the new road.”
”On to my land?”
”Your cruelty reduces me to tears. I am a martyr. I appeal to the chivalrous public to boycott that new road.”
”When I've brought money into the country? Oh, you don't know this hungry neighborhood!”
”Mercy! My client's done for. I'm Madame Scotson's managing engineer.
May I ask a plain question?”
”Certainly.”
”Is there water-power in this gulch?”
”There's a lovely waterfall.”