rm? It is
a most unheard-of thing, unwarranted, ridiculous. I shall require you,
sir, to at once make over the plots of land to us--to the firm, you
understand. We shall give you your price, of course, although I expect
you paid much more for it than we should have done. Still, we must give
you what you paid, and four per cent interest for your money."

"I am sorry," Tavernake replied, "but I am afraid that I should require
better terms than that. In fact," he continued, "I do not wish to sell.
I have given a great deal of thought and time to this matter, and I
intend to carry it out as a personal speculation."

"Then you will carry it out, sir, from some other place than from
within the walls of my office," Mr. Dowling declared, furiously. "You
understand that, Tavernake?"

"Perfectly," Tavernake answered. "You wish me to leave you. It is very
unwise of you to suggest it, but I am quite prepared to go."

"You will either resell me those plots at cost price, or you shall not
set foot within the office again," Mr. Dowling insisted. "It is a gross
breach of faith, this. I never heard of such a thing in all my life.
Most unprofessional, impossible behavior!"

Tavernake showed no signs of anger--he simply turned a little away.

"I shall not sell you my land, Mr. Dowling," he said, "and it will suit
me very well to leave your employ. You appear," he continued, "to expect
some one else to do the whole of the work for you while you reap the
entire profits. Those days have gone by. My business in the world is to
make a fortune for myself, and not for you!"

"How dare you, sir!" Mr. Dowling cried. "I never heard such impertinence
in my life."

"You haven't done a stroke of work for five years," Tavernake went on,
unmoved, "and my efforts have supplied you with a fairly good income. In
future, those efforts will be directed towards my own advancement."

Mr. Dowling turned back toward the car.

"Young man," he said, "you can brazen it out as much as you like, but
you have been guilty of a gross breach of faith. I shall take care that
the exact situation is made known in all responsible quarters. You'll
get no situation with any firm with whom I am acquainted--I can promise
you that. If you have anything more to say to Dowling, Spence & Company,
let it be in writing."

They parted company there and then. Tavernake and Beatrice went down the
hill in silence.

"Does this bother you at all?" she inquired presently.

"N