"As an old friend," he declared, "an old Presbyterian
friend, I want to lay some of my experience
before you. I want to complain a little, Gordon;
I have the right... my years, Pompey's associate.
The fact is -- you're hurting the County, you're hurting
the people and me; you're hurting yourself.
Everybody is suffering from your -- your mistaken
generosity. We have all become out of sorts, unbalanced,
from the exceptional condition you have
brought about. It won't do, Gordon; credit has
been upset, we don't know where we stand, or who's
who; it's bad.

"I said you suffered with the rest of us, but you
are worse off still. How shall I put it? -- the
County is taking sad advantage of your, er --
liberality. There's young Entriken; he was in the
store a little time ago and told me that you had
extended his note again. He thought it was smart
to hold out the money on you. There's not a likelier
farm, nor better conditioned cattle, than his in
Greenstream. He could pay twenty notes like yours
in a day's time. I hate to see money cheapened like
that, it ain't healthy.

"What is it you're after, Gordon? Is it at the
incorruptible, the heavenly, treasure you're aiming?
But if it is I'll venture this -- that the Lord doesn't
love a fool. And the man with the talents, don't
overlook him."

[[320]]

p319 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p320w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p321

v?