Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Madler said: "Financial need generally outweighs social prejudice in the end."

"Yes," said Joseph. "So it does. I think I may have been too hasty in denying Hugh a partnership."

Augusta interrupted in a voice of deadly sweetness. "Joseph, what are you saying?"

"This is business, my dear--men's talk," he said firmly. "You need not concern yourself with it." He turned to Hugh. "We certainly don't want you working for Greenbournes."

Hugh did not know what to say. He knew that Sidney Madler had made a fuss, and that Uncle Samuel had backed him--but it was almost unknown for Uncle Joseph to admit a mistake. And yet, he thought with mounting excitement, why else was Joseph raising the subject? "You know why I'm going to Greenbournes, Uncle," he said.

"They'll never make you a partner, you know," Joseph said. "You have to be Jewish for that."

"I'm well aware of it."

"Given that, wouldn't you rather work for the family?"

Hugh felt let down: after all, Joseph was only trying to talk him into staying on as an employee. "No, I wouldn't rather work for the family," he said indignantly. He saw that his uncle was taken aback by his strength of feeling. He went on: "To be quite honest, I'd prefer to work for the Greenbournes, where I would be free from family intrigues"--he darted a defiant glance at Augusta--"and where my responsibilities and rewards would depend on nothing but my ability as a banker."

Augusta said in a scandalized tone: "You prefer Jews to your own family?"

"Keep out of this," Joseph told her brusquely. "You know why I'm saying all this, Hugh. Mr. Madler feels that we have let him down, and all the partners are worried about your taking our North American business with you when you go."

Hugh tried to steady his nerves. It was time to drive a hard bargain. "I wouldn't come back if you doubled my salary," he said, burning his boats. "There's only one thing you can offer me that would make me change my mind, and that's a partnership."

Joseph sighed. "You're the very devil to negotiate with."

Madler put in: "As every good banker should be."

"Very well," Joseph said at last. "I'm offering you a partnership."

Hugh felt weak. They've backed down, he thought. They've given in. I've won. He could hardly believe it had really happened.

He glanced at Augusta. Her face was a rigid mask of self-control, but she said nothing: she knew she had lost.

"In that case," he said, and he hesitated, savoring the moment. He took a deep breath. "In that case, I accept."