The Firm of Girdlestone Chapter 15 - An Addition to the House

Ashton Hoffman (0:00)

Chapter 15 of A Firm of Girdlestone by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by Ashton Hoffman. An Addition to the House.

There were rejoicings in former gardens over Tom's engagement for the two old people were both horribly fond of Kate, or Kate as they were want proudly to call her. The physician chaffed at first over the idea of keeping the matter secret from Girdlestone. A little reflection served to show him, however, that there was nothing to be gained by informing him, while Kate's life during the time that she was forced to remain under his roof would be more tolerable as long as he was kept in ignorance of it.

In the meanwhile, the lovers saw little of each other, and Tom was only consoled by the thought that every day which passed brought him nearer to the time when he could claim his prize. Without concealment or fear, he went about as happy and as light-hearted a man as any in London.

His mother was delighted at his high spirits, but his bluff old father was not so well satisfied. Confound the lad, he said to himself, he is settling down to a life of idleness. It suits him too well. We must get him to choose one way or the other. According after breakfast, one morning the doctor asked his son to step with him into the library, where he lit his long cherry wood pipe, as was his custom after every meal, and smuggled some time in silence. You must do something to keep you from mischief, my boy, he said at last briskly. I am ready for anything, dad, replied Tom, but I don't quite see what I'm fit for. First of all, what do you think of this? The doctor asked abruptly, handing a letter over to his son, who opened it and read as follows. Dear sir, it has come to my knowledge through my son, that your boy has abandoned the study of medicine, and that you are still uncertain as to his future career. I have long had the intention of seeking a young man who might join in our business and relieve my old shoulders of some of the burden. Ezra urges me to write and propose that your son should become one of us. If he has any taste for business, we shall be happy to advance his interests in every way. He would of course have to purchase a share in the concern, which would amount to 7,000 pounds, on which he would be paid interest of the rate of 5% By allowing this interest to accumulate, and investing also his share of the profits, he might in time absorb a large portion of the business. In case he joined us upon this footing, we should have no objection to his name appearing as one of the firm. Should the idea commend itself to you, I should be most happy to talk over details, and to explain to you the advantages which the firm can offer at my office, in Fenchurch Street, any day between 10 and 4 With kind regard to your family, and hoping that they enjoy the great blessing of health, I remain sincerely yours, John Girdlestone. What do you think of that? the doctor asked, when his son had finished reading it. I hardly know, said Tom. I should like a little time to think it over.

7,000 pounds is a good round sum.

It is more than half the total capital which I have invested for you. On the other hand, I have heard those who ought to know, say there is not a sounder or better managed concern in London. There is no time like the present, Tom. Get your hat and we'll go down to Fenchurch Street together and look into it. While father and son were rattling along in a cab from Kensington to the city, the young man had time to turn the matter over in his mind. He wanted to be at work and why not take this up as well as anything else? It is true that he disliked what he had seen of both Girdlestones, but on the other hand, by becoming a member of the firm, he would probably be thrown in the way of meeting the old merchant's ward. This last consideration decided the matter, and long before the cab had pulled up at the long and dirty passage which led to the offices of the great African firm, the poorly principally interested had fully made up his mind as to the course he should adopt. They were duly ushered into the small sanctum adorned with the dissected ships, the maps, the charts, the list of sailing, and the water-colour picture of the Baroque Belinda, where they were received by the head of the firm, with a charming personal modesty tempered by a becoming pride in the great business, which he had himself created. He discoursed upon its transactions and its importance. He took down ledgers and flashed rows of figures before the eyes of the good doctor, explaining at the same time how month after month the receipts increased and their capital grew. Then he spoke touchingly of his own ripe years and of the quiet and seclusion which he looked forward to after his busy lifetime.