Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/287

 finished my breakfast yet, and I hate standing up so early in. the morning without adequate sustenance. Don't you see I cannot with courtesy seat myself while you stand there like Rhadamanthus? After your proclaiming to my face my unfairness, the next thing my face looks for is a blow from your fist; therefore I should feel much safer if you sat down."

"Oh, curse this foolish, frivolous talk of yours! Sit down and finish your breakfast. You have my permission. Why don't you speak out like a man, and say you're determined to ruin me?" "One reason is that I'm not determined on any such thing," said Stranleigh, stepping back a pace or two, but taking no advantage of the permission accorded him. "Would you have given me the extra one per cent, if I had asked for it?"

"Certainly I would."

"Could you have afforded to do so?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you do it? I gave you the money unconditionally and without any haggling. To quote yourself, why didn't you play fair?"

"Three per cent. is a fair bank interest."

"Do any of your depositors get six-and-a-half?" An added pallor spread over Mackeller's anxious