A flood of feeling came into his eyes, his head jerked like that of a
bull-moose. "No, I don't get everything I want. The thing I want most
in the world doesn't come to me." His voice grew emotional. She knew
what he was trying to say, and as the idea was not new she kept
composure. "I'm not as lucky as you think me," he added.
"You're pretty lucky. You've done it all as easy as clasping your
fingers. If I had your luck--!" she paused.
"I don't know about that, but if I could reach out and touch you at any
time, as it were, I think it'd bring me permanent good luck. You'll find
out one day that my luck is only a bubble the prick of a pin'll destroy.
I don't misunderstand it. I've been left John Grier's business by Grier
himself, and he's got a son that ought to have it, and maybe will have
it, when the time is ripe."
Suddenly an angry hand flashed out towards him. "When the time is ripe!
Does that mean, when you've made all you want, you'll give up to Carnac
what isn't yours but his? Why don't you do it now?"
"Well, because, in the first place, I like my job and he doesn't want it;
in the second place, I promised his father I'd run the business as he
wished it run; and in the third place, Carnac wouldn't know how to use
the income the business brings."
She laughed in a mocking, challenging way. "Was there ever a man didn't
know how to use an income no matter how big it was! You're talking
enigmas, and I think we'd better say good-bye.
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