'And Charles Lester?'said William.
'Was my closest friend. The provisions in his will have preyed upon my conscience. It was no secret that my choice would not have been Peter Parfitt. I would have had Ted Leach for chairman, but as I have never abstained from any~ thing in my life - , I felt I had to support the candidate who stood against you, as I found myself unable to vote for a man I had never even met.'
'I admire your honesty, Mr. Cork - Smith, but now I have a bank to run. I need you at this moment far more than you need me so 1, as a younger man, beg you not to resig - n.0 The old man raised his head and stared into Williams eyes. 'I'm not sure it would work, young man. I cai2t change my attitudes overnight,' said Cork - Smith, both hands resting on his stick.
'Give me six months, sir, and if you still feel the same way I won't put up a fight.'
Tley both sat in silence bef9re Cork - Smith spoke again. Uharles Lester was right: you are the son of Richard Kane.'
'Will you continue to serve this bank, sir?'
'I will, young man. There's no fool like an old fool, don't you know.'
Rupert Cork - Srr~ith rose slowly with the aid of his stick. William moved to help him but was waved away.
'Good luck, my boy. You can rely on my total support!
Thank you, sir,'said William.
When he opened the door, William saw Peter Parfitt waiting in the corridor.
As Rupert Cork - Smith left, the two men did not speak.
Peter Parfitt blustered in. 'Well, I tried and I lost. A man can't do more,' he said laughing. 'No hard feelings, BillT He cxtended his hand.
'nere are no hard feelings, Mr. Parfitt. As you so rightly say, you tried and you lost, and now you will resign from your post at this bank.'
'I'll do what?' said Parfitt.
'Resign,'said William.
'T'hat's a bit rough, isn't it, Bill? My action wasn't at all personal, I simply felt...'
'I don't want you in my bank, Mr. Parfitt. You'll leave by tonight and never return.'
'And if I say I won't go? I own a good many shares in the bank, and I still have a lot of support on the board, you know, and what's more I could take you to court!
'Tlen I would recommend that you read the bank's bylaws, Mr. Parfi tt, which I spent some considerable time studying only this morning!
William picked up the small, leather - bound book which was still lying on the desk in front of him and turned a few pages over. Having found a paragraph he had marked that morning, he read aloud: 'Ile chairman has the right to re - move any office holder in whom he has lost confidence.' He looked up. 'I have lost confidence in you, Mr. Parfitt, and you will therefore resign, receiving two years' pay. If, on the other hand, you force me to remove you, I shall see that you leave the bank with nothing other than your stock. The choice is yours.'
'Won't you give me a chance?'
'I gave you a chance last Friday night, and you lied and cheated. Not traits I am looking for in my next ivice - chairman. Will it be resignation or do I throw you out~ Mr. Parfitt?, 'Damn you, Kane, I'll resign.'
~C3ood. Sit down and write the letter now.9 'No, IT let you have it in the morning in my own good tirne.'He started walking towards the door.
'Now - or I fire you,'said William.
Peter Parfitt hesitated and then came back and sank heavily into a chair by the side of William's desk. William handed him a piece of the bank's stationery and proffered him a pen. Parfitt took out his own pen and started writing. When he had finished, William picked up the letter and read it through carefully.
V,ood day, Mr. Parfitt!
Peter Parfitt left without speaking. Ted Leach came in a few moments later.
'You wanted to see nip, Mr. Chairman?'
Tes,' said William. 'I want to appoint you as the bank's ovemll vice - chairman. Mr. Parfitt felt he had to resign.9 'Oh, I'm surprised to hear that, I would have thought...'
William passed him the letter. Ted Leach read it and then looked at William.
'I shall be delighted to be overall vice - chairman. Iliank you for your confidence in me.'
'Good. I will be obliged if you will arrange for me to meet every director during the next two days. I shall start work at eight o'clock tomorrow morning.'
'Yes, Mr. Kane.'
Terhaps you will also be kind enough to give Mr. Parfites letter of resignation to the company secretary?'
'As you wish, Mr. Chairman!
'My name is William, another mistake Mr. Parfitt made.'
Ted Leach smiled tentatively. 'I'll see you tomorrow morning - - - 'he hesitated ~ - William!