Page 9 (1/2)

Cornelius was disappointed He had hoped that just one of the family

‘However,’ the young , thin envelope from an inside pocket of his jacket, ‘on my twenty-first birthday my father presented me with shares of 1 per cent of the company, which I think must be worth at least £1,000, so I wondered if you would consider taking thee for my debt – that is, until I can afford to buy them back’

Cornelius felt guilty for having doubted his nephew even for a ise, but knew he couldn’t if the house of cards was to remain in place for a few more days He took the ’s mite and thanked Timothy

‘I am aware just how much of a sacrifice thishow many times you have told me in the past of your ambition to take over the company when your father eventually retires, and your drea into areas he has refused even to contemplate’

‘I don’t think he’ll ever retire,’ said Ti that after all the experience I’ve gained working in London he er when Mr Leonard retires at the end of the year’

‘I fear your chances won’t be advanced when he learns that you’ve handed over 1 per cent of the company to your bankrupt uncle’

‘My proble, Uncle I’ht now Before I leave, is there anything else I can do for you?’

‘Yes, there is, Ti to the script ‘Your , but my old eyes seem to tire earlier and earlier, and I wondered if you’d be kind enough to read a few pages to me I’ve marked the place I’ve reached’

‘I can re to me when I was a child,’ said Timothy ‘Just William and Ss and Amazons,’ he added as he took the proffered book

Ties when he suddenly stopped and looked up

‘There’s a bus ticket at page 450 Shall I leave it there, Uncle?’

‘Yes, please do,’ said Cornelius ‘I put it there to re a little tired’

Timothy rose and said, ‘I’ll coes’

‘No need to bother yourself, I’ll be able to e that’

‘Oh, I think I’d better, Uncle, otherwise I’ll never find out which one of them becomes Prime Minister’