filling the assistant cashier's
place with an active, aggressive man, Masters might secure an ally who
could attack Farnsworth on the other flank. But in doing that he would
have to disappoint Millard, who was steadily growing in value to the
bank, but who, from habitual subordination to Farnsworth, and the
natural courtesy of his disposition, could not be depended on to offer
much resistance. To introduce a stranger would be to disturb the status
quo, and the first maxim in the conduct of institutions is to avoid
violent changes. Once the molecules of an organization are set into
unusual vibration it is hard to foretell what new combinations they may
form. And your practical man dislikes, of all things, to invite the
unforeseen and the incalculable.

The election of a vice-president would bring a new man into the bank
over the head of Farnsworth, but it would also produce a disturbance
from which Masters felt a shrinking natural to an experienced and
conservative administrator. Moreover, there was no one connected with
the direction, or even holding stock in the bank, suitable to be put
over Farnsworth. Unless, indeed, it were thought best to bring Hilbrough
from Brooklyn. To introduce so forceful a man as Hilbrough into the
management would certainly be a great thing for the bank, and it would
not fail to put an end to the domination of Farnsworth. But Masters
reflected that it might equally reduce his own importance. And with all
his irritation against Farnsworth the president disliked to deal him too
severe a blow.

If the matter had been left to Mrs. Masters, there would have been no
relentings. In her opinion Farnsworth ought to be put out. Aren't you
president, Mr. Masters? Why don't you _be_ president, then? Don't like
to be too hard on him? That's just like you. I'd just put him out, and
there'd be an end of his fussiness once for all. _Of course_ you _could_
if you set about it. You are always saying that you don't like to let
feeling interfere with business. But I wouldn't stand Farnsworth--little
shrimp!--setting up to run a bank. Ill? Well, he ought to be; makes
himself ill meddling with other people. He'd be better if he didn't
worry about what doesn't belong to him. I'd give him rest. It's all well
enough to sneer at a woman's notion of business, but the bank would be
better off if you had entire control of it. The directors know that,
they _must_ know it; they are not blind.

There were no half-tones