It _is_ a good one. It shall be a better one. Mr. Cherry, in a few years' time we shall not be earning our 15 per cent., no, nor our 30 per cent., but our 100 per cent., and you shall be with us. Here, Mr. Cherry, is an application form. (_He has put it all ready_.) I will make it a personal matter that the full number of shares shall be allotted to you. ADAM CHERRY. (_Who has risen, comes to desk. Ben Dixon puts a pen into his hand. He hesitates._) They--they do say one should not put all one's eggs into one basket. MR. BEN DIXON. It depends upon the basket I suppose. I should say it would be better to put them all into one sound basket than in half-a-dozen risky ones. (_Laughs._) ADAM CHERRY. Yes, that's quite right--quite right. You see I do want a big dividend. MR. BEN DIXON. Of course you do--we all do--I mean it is very natural for _you_ to do so. ADAM CHERRY. Of course, before it did not matter. But now, Mr. Ben Dixon--now that I'm going to be married I wish if possible to be able to retire from business altogether, and that, of course, with my small capital I could not do unless-- MR. BEN DIXON. (_Stopping him_.) Mr. Cherry, I will be frank with you. You speak of the very matter that has been in my mind. If you had come to us two or three months ago, and had asked for these shares I should have said "No." I should have said to my brother directors: This is a safe and brilliant scheme, let us keep it to ourselves. Why should we admit this man among us? Let him be content with his two and a half Goschens, his three per cent, debentures. But now, Mr. Cherry, I think of Nelly--my dear little Nelly--and I say, "Come." Come and share with us. That is the line for signature, Mr. Cherry. ADAM CHERRY. I have every confidence, Mr. Ben Dixon, both in you and the scheme. (_Signs_). Adam Cherry. MR. BEN DIXON. (_Blots paper and takes it up and examines it._) Let me see. The full amount is payable on allotment. Shall we telegraph your brokers at the same time? ADAM CHERRY. Oh yes--perhaps that will be the simplest way (_takes form which Ben Dixon hands to him, and writes._) Yes, I'll do so. MR. BEN DIXON. It doesn't matter, you know--doesn't matter at all. I will make myself responsible for the amount if it's any convenience to you, Mr. Cherry. ADAM CHERRY. May just as well settle the matter now and have done with it. (_Finishes telegram._) That will fix it all right I think. MR. BEN DIXON. (_He has folded up the application and has placed it in one of the stamped directed envelopes he has ready. He now crosses and takes telegram and looks at it_.) Ah, one can always tell the man of business, Mr. Cherry--one can always tell the man of business. (_Ben Dixon has previously rung, and now a footman enters._) Take this letter to the post at once, and send this telegram off at the same time. Don't stop for anything. FOOTMAN. Yes, sir. (_Goes out_.) ADAM CHERRY.