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Williahed ’I’ll call you toratulations I approve of Charles Lester’s judg in New York’
It was the first ti in New York
William arrived at Peter Parfitt’s hoht and was taken by surprise to find his host had dressed for dinner Williahtly embarrased and ill at east in his dark banker’s suit He quickly explained to his hostess that he had originally anticipated returning to Boston that evening Diana Parfitt, who turned out to be Peter’s second wife, could not have been hted that Willia an excellent dinner Williaht the rest of the board would react to Charles Lester’s wishes
’They’ll all fall in line,’ said Parfitt ’I’ve spoken toon Mondayto confirm your appointment and I can only see one small cloud on the horizon!
’Whaes that?’ said Willia not to sound anxious
’Well, between you andto be appointed chair that he antidpated it We had all been informed that no nomination could be made until after the ~Arill had been read, but Charles Lester’s wishes must have cohtFasked Willia for you to worry about!
’I don’t ,’ said Diana Parfitt, as she studied the rather flat soufl1e in front of her, ’that he has never been my favourite ly, ’webehind Ted’s back before Mr Kane has had a chance to judge for himself There is no doubt in my mind that the board will confir on Monday, and there’s even the possibility that Ted Leach will resign!
’I don’t want anyone to feel they have to resign because of me,’said William
’A very creditable sentiment,’ said Parfitt ’But don’t bother yourself about a puff of wind I’o quietly back to Boston tomorrow, and I’ll keep you inforht be wise if I dropped in at the bank in the
Won’t your fellow officers find it a little curious if I make no attempt to meet any of theiven the cir - curnstances, In fact, I feel it ht be wiser for you to stay out of their way until the Monday boardis over They won’t want to seem any less independent than necessary, and they lorified rubber stao back to Boston, and I’ll call you with the good news before noon on Monday!
Williaestion and went on to spend a pleasant evening discussing with both of theht stay in New York while they were looking for a permanent home
William was somewhat surprised to find that Peter Parfitt see, and he assumed the reason was because of Diana Parfites presence An excellent evening ended with a little too much brandy, and William did not arrive back at the Harvard Club until after one o’clock
Once William had returned to Boston he made an immediate report to Tony Simmons of what had transpired in New York as he did not want him to hear about the appointuine about the news
’I’ us, William Lester’s may well be two or three times the size of Kane and Cabot, but I shall be unable to replace you, and I hope you’ll consider very carefully before accepting the appoint it ’Frankly, Tony, I would have thought you’d have been only too glad to see the back of me’
’William, ill you ever believe that my first interest has always been the bank, and there has never been any doubt in my mind that you are one of the shrewdest investment advisers in America today? If you leave Kane and Cabot now, many of the bank’s most important clients will naturally want to follow you’
’I would never transfer my own money to Lester’s,’ said William, ’any more than I would expect any of the bank’s clients to move with me’