Page:Man's Country (1923).pdf/138

 "Out of profits," declared another member of the committee. "You can pay for this stock and be the owner of it in one year's business."

Such computations seemed dizzy, and yet George saw that they were within reason. He perceived a huge, feelingless machine operating with sure precision to make him rich. He could not stay it—could not fend it off.

"Then there's one other thing," recalled Mr. Tompkins, "The name of the concern must be changed."

"Changed?" George's face was white and adamantine. This was something he would fight to the uttermost.

"Yes," insisted Chairman Blodgett. "You are the person who is known. It is you who have made the business what it is, and won it the standing it now has. The fact of your acquisition of permanent control must be advertised by a change in the name to the Judson-Morris Automobile Company."

George shook his head resolutely. "I'll never consent to that. The thing behind our success is the car we build; the thing behind the car is Milton Morris. Gentlemen," and George raised his voice and stood up as for one of those stump speeches of his, "I'll never consent—it would break Mr. Morris's heart!"

George looked so doleful that Banker Jones had to smile. The other bankers smiled also.