Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/302

292 "No; it's philanthropy Roger's talking about, and we have failed," said Angel.

"Yes, yes; if you look at it like that we've failed," said Chelubai, with abject obsequiousness.

"We've had very bad luck. It might mend," said Bottiger.

"Well, you cannot expect my sister and I to continue in a branch of philanthropy for which our unfitness has been so fully demonstrated," I said firmly.

"No, no," said Chelubai.

"But of course we don't want to desert you utterly and suddenly," I went on. "We will resign our directorships and become sleeping partners if you like, consulting philanthropists, helping you with our advice in your enterprises, but taking no active part in them."

"But that would diminish the effectiveness of the company by rather more than two-thirds," said Chelubai.

"You underrate your enthusiasm," I said politely.

Chelubai shook his head.

"Well, there is another course we can adopt; we can change the company," I said.

"How?" said Chelubai, brightening a little.

"Well, these dividends, which were merely accidental results of our philanthropy and no measure at all of its success, seem to me to point out