But a hundred
thousand--to be ventured, not in landed property, or a big trade deal,
but on the success of a piece of construction work. This was something
new. It seemed fantastic--suited to the great world outside perhaps,
or the future. Had he courage enough to stand in? Who could tell what
accidents, what disasters might not happen? No! He shook his head.
He could not. He dared not. But--the thing tempted him. He had always
wanted to be something more than a whale among the minnows. Should
he risk it? Should he not? It meant staking his whole fortune, his
position, everything, upon the outcome of a piece of engineering that
he understood nothing whatever about. It was sheer speculation; it
was gambling. No, he must say: No. Then he was only a whale among the
minnows, after all. No, he must say: Yes. Good God! He clenched his
hands together; they were clammy with sweat, and his brain was in a
whirl. It was a trial, a temptation. He felt an impulse to pray. But
what good could that do--since he had himself abolished God.
Next day Merle and Peer were rung up by telephone and asked to come in
to dinner with the old folks.
But when they were all sitting at table, they found it impossible to
keep the conversation going. Everyone seemed shy of beginning on the
subject they were all thinking about. The old man's face was grey
with want of sleep; his wife looked from one to the other through her
spectacles. Peer was calm and smiling.
At last, when the claret came round, Fru Uthoug lifted her glass and
drank to Peer.
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