[Intro]
Who is to Pay?
[Spoken word]
Sweater reached the hall almost at the same moment that Rushton entered by the front door. They greeted each other in a friendly way and after a few remarks concerning the work that was being done, they went into the drawing-room where Owen and Easton were and Rushton said: 'What about this room? Have you made up your mind what you're going to
Have done to it?'
'Yes,' replied Sweater; 'but I'll tell you about that afterwards. What
I'm anxious about is the drains. Have you brought the plans?'
'Yes.'
'What's it going to cost?'
'Just wait a minute,' said Rushton, with a slight gesture calling
Sweater's attention to the presence of the two workmen. Sweater
Understood
'You might leave that for a few minutes, will you?' Rushton continued
Addressing Owen and Easton. 'Go and get on with something else for a little while.'
When they were alone, Rushton closed the door and remarked: 'It's
Always as well not to let these fellows know more than is necessary.'
Sweater agreed
'Now this 'ere drain work is really two separate jobs,' said Rushton
'First, the drains of the house: that is, the part of the work that's
Actually on your ground. When that's done, there will 'ave to be a
Pipe carried right along under this private road to the main road to
Connect the drains of the house with the town main. You follow me?'
'Perfectly. What's it going to cost for the lot?'
'For the drains of the house, 25 and for the connecting pipe
30, 55 for the lot.'
'Um! That the lower you can do it for, eh?'
'That's the lowest. I've figured it out most carefully, the time and
Materials, and that's practically all I'm charging you.'
The truth of the matter was that Rushton had had nothing whatever to do with estimating the cost of this work: he had not the necessary knowledge to do so. Hunter had drawn the plans, calculated the cost and prepared the estimate
'I've been thinking over this business lately,' said Sweater, looking
At Rushton with a cunning leer. 'I don't see why I should have to pay
For the connecting pipe. The Corporation ought to pay for that. What do you say?'
Rushton laughed. 'I don't see why not,' he replied
'I think we could arrange it all right, don't you?' Sweater went on
'Anyhow, the work will have to be done, so you'd better let 'em get on with it. £55 covers both jobs, you say?'
'Yes.'
'Oh, all right, you get on with it and we'll see what can be done with the Corporation later on.'
'I don't suppose we'll find 'em very difficult to deal with,' said
Rushton with a grin and Sweater smiled in agreement
As they were passing through the hall they met Hunter, who had just arrived. He was rather surprised to see them, as he knew nothing of their appointment. He wished them 'Good morning' in an awkward hesitating undertone as if he were doubtful how his greeting would be received. Sweater nodded slightly, but Rushton ignored him altogether and Nimrod passed on looking and feeling like a disreputable cur that had just been kicked
Who is to Pay?
[Spoken word]
Sweater reached the hall almost at the same moment that Rushton entered by the front door. They greeted each other in a friendly way and after a few remarks concerning the work that was being done, they went into the drawing-room where Owen and Easton were and Rushton said: 'What about this room? Have you made up your mind what you're going to
Have done to it?'
'Yes,' replied Sweater; 'but I'll tell you about that afterwards. What
I'm anxious about is the drains. Have you brought the plans?'
'Yes.'
'What's it going to cost?'
'Just wait a minute,' said Rushton, with a slight gesture calling
Sweater's attention to the presence of the two workmen. Sweater
Understood
'You might leave that for a few minutes, will you?' Rushton continued
Addressing Owen and Easton. 'Go and get on with something else for a little while.'
When they were alone, Rushton closed the door and remarked: 'It's
Always as well not to let these fellows know more than is necessary.'
Sweater agreed
'Now this 'ere drain work is really two separate jobs,' said Rushton
'First, the drains of the house: that is, the part of the work that's
Actually on your ground. When that's done, there will 'ave to be a
Pipe carried right along under this private road to the main road to
Connect the drains of the house with the town main. You follow me?'
'Perfectly. What's it going to cost for the lot?'
'For the drains of the house, 25 and for the connecting pipe
30, 55 for the lot.'
'Um! That the lower you can do it for, eh?'
'That's the lowest. I've figured it out most carefully, the time and
Materials, and that's practically all I'm charging you.'
The truth of the matter was that Rushton had had nothing whatever to do with estimating the cost of this work: he had not the necessary knowledge to do so. Hunter had drawn the plans, calculated the cost and prepared the estimate
'I've been thinking over this business lately,' said Sweater, looking
At Rushton with a cunning leer. 'I don't see why I should have to pay
For the connecting pipe. The Corporation ought to pay for that. What do you say?'
Rushton laughed. 'I don't see why not,' he replied
'I think we could arrange it all right, don't you?' Sweater went on
'Anyhow, the work will have to be done, so you'd better let 'em get on with it. £55 covers both jobs, you say?'
'Yes.'
'Oh, all right, you get on with it and we'll see what can be done with the Corporation later on.'
'I don't suppose we'll find 'em very difficult to deal with,' said
Rushton with a grin and Sweater smiled in agreement
As they were passing through the hall they met Hunter, who had just arrived. He was rather surprised to see them, as he knew nothing of their appointment. He wished them 'Good morning' in an awkward hesitating undertone as if he were doubtful how his greeting would be received. Sweater nodded slightly, but Rushton ignored him altogether and Nimrod passed on looking and feeling like a disreputable cur that had just been kicked
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