Chapter 19 19

.19. The Fortescu family assembled in the living room of the "Yew House".Percival Fortescu spoke to the group leaning on the mantelpiece. "Everything is fine," Percival said. "But the whole situation is unsatisfactory. The police came and went without saying anything to us.They seemed to be following a certain line of investigation; yet the case remained stuck.We cannot make plans, we cannot arrange future events. " Jennifer said, "How inconsiderate and stupid." Percival went on: "We're still prohibited from leaving the house by the police. But I think we might as well discuss future plans. What about you, Ellen? I hear you're going to marry—what's his name—Gee Rad Wright? Do you know when?"

"The sooner the better," Ellen said. Percival frowned. "You mean about another six months?" "No, no, why should we wait six months?" "I think it's more polite," Percival said. Ellen said, "Bullshit. A month—we'll wait a month at most." Percival said, "Well, it's up to you. What are your plans when you're married?" "We want to start a school." Percival shook his head. "It's too risky to start a school at this kind of time. There is not enough manpower for helpers, and it is difficult to find teaching staff—Ailan, it sounds good, but if it were me, I would think twice."

"We thought about it. Gillard felt that the future of the country depended entirely on a proper education." Percival said: "I'm going to see Mr. Billingsley the day after tomorrow. We'll have to discuss various financial matters. He suggested you set up a personal and children's trust fund with the money daddy left you. Now that's a sure thing. " Ellen said: "I don't want it. We need the money for the school. We've heard there's a very nice house for sale. It's in Cornwell. The grounds are pretty and the house is pretty good. It's going to have to be built-up A few wings."

"You mean--you mean you're going to take all your money out of the company? Really, Ellen, I don't think you're doing it very wisely." Ellen said, "I think it's smarter to take it out than to stay in. There's bankruptcy everywhere. Val, you said it yourself before Daddy died." Percival said vaguely: "People can't help saying things like this, but Ailan, I think you're crazy if you take out all the money to buy a house, add equipment, and run a school. What if you don't succeed? You will be penniless." Ailan said stubbornly, "It will work."

Lance reclined in a chair and encouraged, "I support you. Ellen, try it. I think that kind of school must be weird, but it's what you—you and Girard—want to do. Even You lose money, at least you have enjoyed the satisfaction you wished for." Percival said sharply, "Lance, no one would have expected you to say something like that." Lance said, "I know, I know, I'm a loser. But I still think my life is more interesting than yours, Percy." Percival said grimly, "That depends on what the fun is. Lance, now we're talking about your own plans. I guess you're going back to Kenya—or Canada—or climbing Everest. , or do something weird?"

"Why do you think that?" Lance said. "Well, you're never used to living at home in England, are you?" Lance said, "People change when they get older and want to settle down. You know, bro Percy, I'm counting on trying to be a serious businessman." "You mean to say..." Lance grinned. "Brother, I mean I want to join the company to cooperate with you. Oh, you are the major shareholder, of course.Your stake is huge.I am only a small shareholder.But I also have equity and can participate in affairs, right? " "Oh—yes—of course you're right to say that. But I tell you, boy, you'll be bored to death."

"Now I doubt. You don't believe yourself to be bored." Percival frowned. "Lance, don't you seriously want to join the company?" "Meddling? Yes, that's what I want to do." Percival shook his head. "You know, the company is in a bad situation, and you'll find out right away. If Alan insists on taking the property out of her name, we'll probably have to barely pay it off." Lance said, "Here, Ellen, look how smart you are, insisting on taking the money while it's still there." Percival said angrily, "Seriously, Lance, your jokes are so low."

Jennifer said, "Lance, I think you might as well be careful what you say." Patty sat by the window, some distance away from everyone, and she looked at them in turn. If this was what Lance called "Percival on purpose," she saw that Lance had achieved his goal.Percival's indifference was disturbed.He shouted angrily: "Lance, are you serious?" "One hundred percent serious." "It's not going to work, you know, you can't take it anytime soon." "Not at all. Just think how much of a change it would be to me: a downtown office with typists walking around. I'm going to have a blonde secretary like Miss Grosvenor--her name is Gross." Fono? I guess you got her. But I'm looking for someone like her. 'Yes, Mr. Lance; no, Mr. Lance. Your tea, Mr. Lance.'"

Percival scolded, "Oh, don't play tricks." "Why are you angry, brother? Don't you expect me to share the work for you?" "You have no idea how messed up the situation is." "No, you have to tell me." "First of all, you have to understand that the past six months—no, more than that, the past year has not been normal for Dad. Financially, he has done unbelievable stupid things, selling good stocks and buying various speculative stocks. Sometimes really If you change hands, you lose all your money, and you can also say that you just want to enjoy the fun of spending money.”

"The fact that he was poisoned with 'tassine' for drinking tea was good for the family," Lance said. "That's a bad way to say it, but on the whole you're right. That's the only way we're going to stay out of bankruptcy. But we've got to be very careful and play it safe." Lance shook his head. "I don't agree. It's never good to be cautious. You have to take some risks, play a little bit. You have to go after big things." "I disagree. Prudence and economy are our mottos," Percy said. "It's not mine," Lance said.

"Remember, you are a minority shareholder," Percival said. "Okay, okay, but I still have a little say." Percival was pacing up and down the room excitedly. "It's no use, Lance. I like you and—" "Really?" Lance interjected.Percival didn't seem to hear. "...but I really don't think it's possible for us to work together. We have completely different perspectives." "It might be good," Lance said. "The only logical solution is a stock split," Percival said. "You're going to buy my share—is that the intention?" "Boy, our views are vastly different, and that's the only reasonable course." "If you can't even pay off Ailan's inheritance, how are you going to pay for my shares?" Percival said, "Oh, I don't mean cash. We can -- er, get a share of various equity." "I guess you keep the safe ones, and I take the most speculative ones, don't you?" "You seem to like those better," Percival said. Lance suddenly grinned. "Brother Percy, you're right. But I can't completely indulge my preferences. I have to think of Patty." Both men look at her.Patty opened his mouth and closed it again.Whatever trick Lance was up to, she'd better stay out of it.She was sure Lance had something special in mind, but she didn't quite know what his goal was. Lance laughed, "List it, Percy. Fake diamond mines, inaccessible ruby ​​mines, oil-free concessions. You think I'm as stupid as I look?" Percival said: "Of course, some stakes are highly speculative, but remember, they can turn out to be extremely valuable." Lance gritted his teeth and said, "Have you changed your tone? You want to push the speculative shares that Dad recently bought and the old 'Black Thrush Mine' to me. By the way, did the inspector ask you about the 'Black Thrush Mine'?" thing?" Percival frowned. "Yes, he asked. I can't think of what he wanted to ask. I don't have much to say. You and I were children back then. I just remember Pa went there and came back and said things were not good." "What's that—a gold mine?" "I believe so. Papa will come back and say there's no gold there. I tell you, Papa can't be mistaken." "Who brought him in? A McCanzie?" "Yes, McCanzie died over there." Lance thought, "McKenzie died over there. Did someone make a fuss? I seem to remember... Mrs. McCanzie?Come here to scold dad, even curse him.If I recall correctly, she accused Da of murdering her husband. " Percival suppressed his emotions and said, "I really don't remember such a thing." Lance said, "I do. Of course, I'm a lot younger than you, so maybe that's why I'm interested. As a kid, I thought it was brilliant. Where's the Black Thrush Mine? Is it West?" Africa?" "Yes, I suppose so." Lance said, "I'll be in the office another day to check the mining rights." Percival said, "You can be sure Pa is right. If he comes back and says there's no gold, there's no gold." Lance said, "You may be right. Poor Mrs. McCanzie. I don't know what happened to her and the two children she brought with her.It's amazing - they must be grown up by now. "