Long training in self-conquest, backed by generations of emotional
restraint, enabled Lawyer Mossop still to play the man of the world. He
rose with a charming smile and an air of ready courtesy to receive his
distinguished client and neighbor. At a first glance there was nothing
to tell that for the solicitor, life had lost its savor.
The two men had a long and intimate talk. Oddly unlike as they were in
temperament, education, mental outlook, their minds had never marched
so well together as this evening in all their years of intercourse.
Somehow the rude vigor, the robust sense of the client appeared to
stimulate the more civilized, the more finely developed lawyer.
Moreover, he could not fail to perceive that it was a humaner, more
liberal-minded Josiah Munt than he had ever known who had come to
talk with him this evening. Success, popularity, response to the
overwhelming public need had ripened a remarkable man, rubbed off
some of the corners, softened and harmonized the curious dissonances
that had jarred in what, after all, was a fine character. Rough
diamond as Josiah Munt still was and must always remain in the eyes
of the critical, he stood out this evening as a right-thinking,
straight-seeing citizen, a real asset to the community.
"Mossop," he said a little shamefacedly, after their conversation had
gone on some time, "I don't like having to own up to it, but I'm bound
to say that I wish I'd had the sense to take that advice you gave me
in the matter of Sally."
The lawyer could not help a furtive smile at the humility of the tone.
"You've got to put that gel back in my will." It was a pretty stiff
dose now that it had to be swallowed and a fierce frown did not conceal
its nature. "And I want you to believe, Mossop,"--there was an odd
earnestness in the deep voice--"that I had made up my mind to do it
long before this--this damnable Serbian business happened."
The lawyer assured Mr. Munt that he was convinced of that.
"Serves me right, though, for delaying. Mossop, I'm annoyed with
myself. It has the look of a force-put now, but I as I say----"
The lawyer nodded a nice appreciation of the circumstances.
"And while I'm about it, I've made up my mind to put Melia, my eldest
girl, back as well."
The lawyer gave a little sigh of satisfaction.
"My three gels are now going to share alike. But you must provide six
thousand pounds for Gertrude Preston."
The lawyer penciled a brief note on his blotting pad.
"As you know, Mossop, I've made a goodish bit, one way and another,
since this war began. Those girls ought to be very well off. And you
know, of course, that we are takin' in the next house for my hospital
along The Rise. It'll give us another twenty beds--making forty in all."
The lawyer said in his level voice that he understood that to be the
Mayor's intention when he had negotiated the purchase with Mr. Harvey
Mortimore.
"We bought that property very well, eh? Not going to get less in value."
The lawyer agreed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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