Page:Man's Country (1923).pdf/129

 he remarked ironically amid the general scratching of pens.

"You have anticipated me precisely," confessed George, and this time his smile was complacent.

"Some day," remarked Mr. Peattie acidly, flinging down the check which had been his for a moment; "Some day young fellow, you're going to stub your toe and fall down hard—being so about everything."

George's face portrayed distress and a great humility at this speech. "Really, Mr. Peattie," he protested. "I try not to be about any of these things. I only think out the safe way and then I work hard, and I have mighty good help from Mr. Morris, and mighty good advice on everything from you gentlemen. Just think: from the advertising contract forward: have I ever been headstrong about anything? Haven't we always agreed perfectly about each policy?"

"That's because you're so darn smooth, you talk so round."

"Mr. Peattie!" rebuked George. "I insist you do yourself injustice. You do your co-directors injustice. It is merely that your own ripe judgment commends the reasons which I advance. If ever your judgment doesn't commend them, you will refuse to agree, I'm sure."

The young Secretary-Treasurer had a bearing