Part 10 (1/2)
”Yes, I have vaguely heard something about bad business,” said Mrs. De Peyster with a bored air. ”But what does all this lead to?”
”I am trying to lead you gently, Mrs. De Peyster, to realize the possibility that, in view of its alleged bad business, the New York and New England might decide to pa.s.s dividends for this quarter.”
Mrs. De Peyster started forward. ”Do you mean to say, Judge Harvey, that such a possibility exists?”
”It's rather more than a possibility.”
”More than a possibility?”
”Yes. In fact, it's a--a fact.”
”A fact?”
”I have just come from the meeting of the directors. They have voted to pay no dividends.”
”No dividends!” Mrs. De Peyster gazed stupefied into the face of Judge Harvey. ”No dividends! Then--then--my income?”
”I am very sorry,” said Judge Harvey.
Mrs. De Peyster sank back in her chair and laid one hand across her eyes. For a moment she was dazed by this undreamed-of disaster; so overwhelmed that she did not even hear Judge Harvey, whose anger had ere this begun to relax, try to rea.s.sure her with remarks about the company being perfectly solvent. But it was not befitting the De Peyster dignity to exhibit consternation. Instinct, habit, ruled. So, after a moment, she removed her hand, and, though all her senses were floundering, she remarked with an excellent imitation of calm:--
”Thank you very much, Judge Harvey, for your information.”
Judge Harvey, though still resentful, was by now feeling contrite for his share of their quarrel and looked unusually handsome in his contrition. And in his concern he could not help pointing the way out.
”I trust you have enough in your bank for your present plans. And if not, your bank will readily advance you what you need.”
”Of course,” said she with her mechanical composure.
”Or if there is any difficulty,” he continued, desirous of making peace, ”I shall be glad to arrange a loan for you.”
She was too blinded by disaster to think, to realize her needs. And dazed though she was by this reverse, her anger against Judge Harvey for daring to criticize burned as high as before. And then, too, she remembered the haughtiness with which she had just refused his advice and put him in his place. At that moment, the person of all persons in the world from whom it would have been most humiliating to her to accept even a finger's turn of a.s.sistance was Judge Harvey.
”Thank you. I shall manage very well.”
”And the Newport house?”
”I shall send you my instructions concerning it later.”
He hesitated, waiting for her to speak. But she did not.
”Then that is all?” he queried.
”Quite all,” she replied.
He still lingered. He was not to see her again for three months. And he didn't like to part like this; even if--
”After all, Caroline,” he said impulsively, holding out his hand, ”let's forget what we said and be friends. At any rate, I certainly hope you have a most enjoyable time in Europe.”