“Then, sir, all I have to say is that the services being past, the amount is too much.”

The shareholder sat down.

Old Jolyon waited a second and said: “I now propose that the report and⁠—”

The shareholder rose again: “May I ask if the Board realizes that it is not their money which⁠—I don’t hesitate to say that if it were their money.⁠ ⁠…”

A second shareholder, with a round, dogged face, whom Soames recognised as the late superintendent’s brother-in-law, got up and said warmly: “In my opinion, sir, the sum is not enough!”