shall be unable to do without the wholehearted support of the board. if Mr. Parfitt would be kind enough...
Peter Parfitt looked up hopefully.
~.. to join me in the chairman's office in a few minutes time, I would be much obliged. After I have seen Mr. Parfitt, I would like - to see Mr.
Leach. I hope, gentlemen, that tomorrow I shall have the opportunity of meeting all of you individually. The next board meeting will be, the monthly one. This meeting is now adjourned!
The directors began to rise and talk among themselves. William walked quickly into the corridor, avoiding Peter Parfitt's stare. Ted Leach caught up with him and directed him to the chairman's office.
'nat was a great risk you took,' said Ted Leach, 'and you only just pulled it off. What - would you have done if you'd lost the vote?'
'Gone back to Boston,' said William, sounding unperturbed.
Ted Leach opened the door to the chairman's office for William. The room was almost exactly as he remembered it; perhaps it had seemed a little larger when, as a prep - school boy, he had told Charles Lester that he would one day run the bank. He stared at the portrait of the great man behind his desk and winked at the late chairmarL Then he sat down in the big red leather chair, and put his elbows on the mahogany desk. As he took a small, leather - bound book out of his jacket pocket and placed it on.the desk in front of him~ there was a knock on the door. An old man entered, leaning heavily on a black stick with a silver handle. Ted Leach left them alone.
'My name is Rupert Cork - Smith,' he said, with a hint of an English accent William rose - to greet him. He was the oldest member of the board. His grey hair, long sideburns and heavy gold watch all came from a past em, but his reputation for probity was legendary in banking circles. No man needed to sign a contract with Rupert Cork - Smith : his w~rd had always been his bond.
He looked William firmly in the eye.
'I voted against you, sir, and naturally you can expect my resignation to be on your desk within the hour.'
'Will you have a seat, sir?'said William gently.
'Thank you, sir,'he replied.
'I think you knew my father and grandfather.'
'I had that privilege. Your grandfather and I were at Harvard together, and I still remember with regret your father's tragic death.'
'And Charles Lester?'said William.
'Was my closest friend. The provisions in his will have preyed upon my conscience. It was no secret that my choice would not have been Peter Parfitt. I would have had Ted Leach for chairman, but as I have never abstained from any~ thing in my life - , I felt I had to support the candidate who stood against you, as I found myself unable to vote for a man I had never even met.'
'I admire your honesty, Mr. Cork - Smith, but now I have a bank to run. I need you at this moment far more than you need me so 1, as a younger man, beg you not to resig - n.0 The old man raised his head and stared into Williams eyes. 'I'm not sure it would work, young man. I cai2t change my attitudes overnight,' said Cork - Smith, both hands resting on his stick.
'Give me six months, sir, and if you still feel the same way I won't put up a fight.'
Tley both sat in silence bef9re Cork - Smith spoke again. Uharles Lester was right: you are the son of Richard Kane.'
'Will you continue to serve this bank, sir?'
'I will, young man. There's no fool like an old fool, don't you know.'
Rupert Cork - Srr~ith rose slowly with the aid of his stick. William moved to help him but was waved away.
'Good luck, my boy. You can rely on my total support!
Thank you, sir,'said William.
When he opened the door, William saw Peter Parfitt waiting in the corridor.
As Rupert Cork - Smith left, the two men did not speak.
Peter Parfitt blustered in. 'Well, I tried and I lost. A man can't do more,' he said laughing. 'No hard feelings, BillT He cxtended his hand.
'nere are no hard feelings, Mr. Parfitt. As you so rightly say, you tried and you lost, and now you will resign from your post at this bank.'
'I'll do what?' said Parfitt.
'Resign,'said William.
'T'hat's a bit rough, isn't it, Bill? My action wasn't