Page:Eekhoud - The New Carthage.djvu/226

198 "And, without being indiscreet, Monsieur Dobouziez, what do you plan to do now?"

Dobouziez hesitated to answer. He did not dare express what he would have wished.

"See here," continued Daelmans, "you will receive my proposition as you understand it, and it is agreed in advance that you will forgive me, if it appears to be inacceptable to you … Well! If the factory is to change proprietors, it would be disastrous for it to lose its director at the same time. Do you understand me? I would even say that such an eventuality would prevent me from buying it. Capital is replaced, money is made, or lost, or," he was about to say "frittered away," but refrained, "is made again. But what it is hard to find, and harder to replace, is a man of talent, intelligence, active, experienced; in short, a business man … That is why I am asking you. Monsieur Dobouziez, whether you would find it inconvenient to remain at the head of a business that you yourself built up, and that you alone can maintain and improve. Do we understand one another?"

Did they understand each other! They could not agree upon more favorable terms. It was precisely the solution that Monsieur Dobouziez was hoping for.

Between men so honest and so upright, the salary of the director was agreed upon with as great facility, subject to the ratification of Saint-Fardier and the minor shareholders; a simple formality. It goes without saying that Daelmans put the director's salary at a respectably high figure. He even wished the director to continue his occupation of the house adjoining the factory. But the solitary father wished to go and live with his daughter.