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’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 chair in ainst 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 thisyou not to resig - n0 The old man raised his head and stared into Willia ht,’ said Cork - S on his stick

’Give me six months, sir, and if you still feel the saht’

Tley both sat in silence bef9re Cork - Sht: 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 sloith the aid of his stick William moved to help him but aved away

’Good luck, my boy You can rely on my total support!

Thank you, sir,’said William

When he opened the door, Willia 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’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 Williah, isn’t it, Bill? My action wasn’t at all personal, I simply felt’

’I don’t want you in ht and never return’