"Yes," said Hennion, "the changes would have interested him."
"Indeed they would! So--the fact is--I was thinking that, if you cared to submit plans, I should personally like to see you build that bridge of ours. I should personally like to see what Rick Hennion's son can do. An elderly man like me can be forgiven a little sentiment, even in business."
Hennion laughed. Macclesfield glanced up suddenly, but saw nothing in the young man's somewhat impassive face to trouble him.
"I'd like to build the bridge, of course. You don't think the sentiment needs any forgiveness from me?"
"My dear boy, it's perfectly sincere! You'll submit plans, then?"
"Good! Now--oh! Tait said something about the crossings. You think the figures too low. Tait said something of the kind. Perhaps they are a little. I'll look them over again. At the same time, you realise the feasibility depends on expense. We want to be fair. But considering how much more convenient to the public this new station will be, considering the benefit of that arrangement, you think the city ought to be moderate?"
"Ah--I don't know--I was thinking that we understood each other--that is--the situation."
"I was thinking, Mr. Macclesfield, of the advantages of candour, and I was wondering what my father would have said about the situation. Wouldn't he have said, in his candid way, that a personal contract and the representative disposal of either city or trust properties were two transactions that had better not be mixed?"
"Well, I'm proposing to separate them. We'll take your station scheme. Considering the benefit and convenience, as you say, the city can afford to be moderate, but it can't afford any more grade crossings down there. You'll have to come in by a subway."
"Can't? Well, you can afford what you have to. May I ask what you expect to get through for, from Roper's front to Maple Street?"
"Oh, well--isn't this a little inquisitorial?"
He named a figure. Macclesfield looked surprised.
"The offer you have made Roper I happen to know that he won't take at all. You'll suspect, then, that the P. and N. are bidding against you. There'll be a mess, and you'd better not be in it. You might as well suspect it now. The P. and N. can afford anything they choose."