about the mouth, the glint in the eye, of the successful man. He had the easy generosities, too, of the man who, possessing much, can express power by endowing helpless things which he happens to like. There was an abundant sentiment in him, sentiment about his daughter and his flag, and the economic glory of his times. He was rather proud of that soft spot in his make-up. When men spoke of him as hard, he smiled to himself, for there in his consciousness was that streak of emotional richness. If he were attacked for raiding a trolley sys[169]tem, he felt that his intimates would declare, "You don't know him. Why John is a King." [168] [169] And, best of all, he had a kind of dim vision of how his little daughter would come forward at the Day of Judgment, if there was anything of the sort, and say, "He was the best father in the world." Hilda and the banker sat quietly, each busy in thought with what had been said. Then the girl returned to her plea. "Come now, Mr. Hinchcliffe," she said, "you've challenged every statement I've made, and yet you've never once been on the ground. I am living there, working each day, where things are happening. Now, why don't you come and see for yourself? It would do you a lot of good." "I'm over here on business," objected the banker. "Perfect reply of a true American," retorted Hilda, hotly. "Here are three [170]or four nations fighting for your future, saving values for your own sons and grandsons. And you're too busy to inform yourself as to the rights of it. You prefer to sit on the fence and pluck the profits. You would just as lief sell to the Germans as to the Allies, if the money lay that way and no risk." [170] "Sure. I did, in September," said the banker, with a grin; "shipped 'em in by way of Holland." "Yes," said Hilda, angrily, "and it was dirty money you made." "What would you have us do?" asked he. "We're not in business for our health." "I tell you what I'd have you do," returned Hilda. "I'd have you find out which side was in the right in the biggest struggle of the ages. If necessary, I'd have you take as much time to informing yourself as you'd give to learning about a railroad stock which you were going to buy. Here's the biggest thing [171]that ever was, right in
Prev.
Back
Top