Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Samuel answered him. "It's a big issue. On reflection, not many banks would want such a big exposure to South America. You should go to Greenbournes: they might be the only people big enough to take the risk. You know Solly Greenbourne, don't you?"

"Yes. I'll see him."

Hugh wondered whether he should advise Solly to turn Edward down, and immediately thought better of it: he was being hired as an expert on North America, and it would seem presumptuous if he started out by passing judgment on a completely different area. He decided to have one more try at persuading Uncle Joseph to cancel the issue completely. "Why don't we just wash our hands of the Santamaria railroad?" he said. "It's low-grade business. The risk has always been high, and now we're threatened with bad publicity on top. Do we need this?"

Edward said petulantly: "The partners have made their decision and it's not for you to question them."

Hugh gave up. "You're quite right," he said. "I'm not a partner, and soon I won't be an employee either."

Uncle Joseph frowned at him. "What does that mean?"

"I'm resigning from the bank."

Joseph was jolted. "You can't do that!"

"I certainly can. I'm a mere employee, and you've treated me as such. So, like an employee, I'm leaving you for a better job elsewhere."

"Where?"

"As a matter of fact I shall be working at Greenbournes."

Uncle Joseph's eyes looked as if they would pop out. "But you're the one who knows all the North Americans!"

"I imagine that's why Ben Greenbourne was so keen to hire me," Hugh said. He could not help being pleased that Uncle Joseph was so irate.

"But you'll take business away from us!"

"You should have thought of that when you decided to go back on your offer of a partnership."

"How much are they paying you?"

Hugh stood up to leave. "That's not for you to ask," he said firmly.

Edward shrieked: "How dare you speak to my father that way!"

Joseph's indignation burst like a bubble, and to Hugh's surprise he suddenly calmed down. "Oh, shut up, Edward," he said mildly. "A certain amount of low cunning is part of what goes to make a good banker. There are times when I wish you were more like Hugh. He may be the black sheep of the family but at least he's got some spunk." He turned back to Hugh. "Go on, clear off," he said without malice. "I hope you'll come a cropper, but I'm not betting on it."

"No doubt that's the nearest to good wishes that I'm likely to get from your branch of the family," Hugh said. "Good day to you."

Section 4