hy you should stickle as to the matter of going to them,"
said Rogers; "but if you think it will be better to have them approach
you, I suppose I can bring them to you."

"No, you can't! I shan't let you! I shan't see them! I shan't have
anything to do with them. NOW do you understand?"

"I inferred from our last interview," persisted Rogers, unmoved by all
this violent demonstration of Lapham's, "that you wished to meet these
parties. You told me that you would give me time to produce them; and
I have promised them that you would meet them; I have committed myself."

It was true that Lapham had defied Rogers to bring on his men, and had
implied his willingness to negotiate with them. That was before he had
talked the matter over with his wife, and perceived his moral
responsibility in it; even she had not seen this at once. He could not
enter into this explanation with Rogers; he could only say, "I said I'd
give you twenty-four hours to prove yourself a liar, and you did it. I
didn't say twenty-four days."

"I don't see the difference," returned Rogers. "The parties are here
now, and that proves that I was acting in good faith at the time.
There has been no change in the posture of affairs. You don't know now
any more than you knew then that the G. L. & P. is going to want the
property. If there's any difference, it's in favour of the Road's
having changed its mind."

There was some sense in this, and Lapham felt it--felt it only too
eagerly, as he recognised the next instant.

Rogers went on quietly: "You're not obliged to sell to these parties
when you meet them; but you've allowed me to commit myself to them by
the promise that you would talk with them."

"'Twan't a promise," said Lapham.

"It was the same thing; they have come out from England on my guaranty
that there was such and such an opening for their capital; and now what
am I to say to them? It places me in a ridiculous position." Rogers
urged his grievance calmly, almost impersonally, making his appeal to
Lapham's sense of justice. "I CAN'T go back to those parties and tell
them you won't see them. It's no answer to make. They've got a right
to know why you won't see them."

"Very well, then!" cried Lapham; "I'll come and TELL them why. Who
shall I ask for? When shall I be there?"

"At eight o'clock, please," said Rogers, rising, without apparent alarm
at his threat, if it was a threat. "And ask for me; I've taken a room
at the ho