“I guess you’re going to be an inmate of a lunatic asylum,” Mr. Blatchford remarked with astonished cheerfulness.

“That seems as unlikely to me as the other thing does to you,” said Crombie.

Hereupon Mr. Blatchford became sarcastically deferential.  “And just about when do you propose to become a director?” he asked.

“In the course of a month.  The election, I believe, takes place in December.”

“Quite right,” said his senior, whose urbanity was meant to be crushing.  “Meanwhile, you will need leisure to attend to this little matter.  Suppose I oblige you by saying that the company has no further need of your services?”

“Suppose you do.  What then?”

Mr. Blatchford gave way to his anger.  “What then?  Why, then you would have to go; that’s all.  You would be thrown out of employment.  You would have to live on your principal, as long as there was any; and afterward you would be obliged to find some other work, or beg, or borrow, or—­”

“That’s enough,” said Crombie, rising with dignity.

“No, it isn’t,” the treasurer declared, “for you don’t seem to understand even now.  I discharge you, Mr. Crombie, on the company’s behalf, and you may leave this office at once.”

Crombie bowed and went out.  “I’m going to be a director, all the same,” he told Mr. Blatchford before he closed the door.  Then he collected the few articles that belonged to him from his desk, and departed, a free man.  He had his future to himself; or else he had no future worth speaking of; he wasn’t sure which.  Nevertheless, he felt quite happy.  Such a result as this had seemed to him, in the prospect, hardly possible; but now that it had arrived he was not discomfited.  Unbounded courage seemed to rise from the stout soles of the alien boots, percolating through his whole system.  He was surprised at himself.  He had intended to use more diplomacy with Mr. Blatchford, and it was no joke to him to lose his place.  But instead of feeling despondent, or going at once in search of new employment, he cheerfully went about making calls on several gentlemen who, he thought, might be induced to aid in his ambitious project.  His manner was that of a person sure of his powers and enjoying a well-earned leisure.  It had its effect.  Two or three stockholders of the company joined in agreeing with him that improved methods could be introduced into its management, and that it would be a good thing to have in the board, say, two young, fresh, active men—­of whom Crombie, by reason of his experience and training, should be one.

“I own a little stock,” said the deposed clerk, who had taken the precaution to obtain a couple of shares by great effort in saving.  “Besides, not having any other engrossing interests at present, I could give my whole attention to the company’s affairs.”

“Quite so,” said the merchant whom he was addressing, comfortably.  “We must see if we can get together a majority; no time to be lost, you know.”