He's of no special use to me there. But he was nice to me
at a time when that meant everything in the world to me--and
I don't forget things of that sort. Besides, I like
him--and it pleases me to let him in for a share of my
good fortune. See? It's my way of enjoying myself.
Well now, I like you too, and why shouldn't I be allowed
to let you in also for a share of that good fortune?
You think there's a difference, but I tell you it's
imaginary--pure moonshine. Why, the very people whose
opinion you're afraid of--what did they do themselves
when the South African craze was on? I'm told that the
scum of the earth had only to own some Chartered shares,
and pretend to be 'in the know' about them--and they
could dine with as many duchesses as they liked.
I knew one or two of the men who were in that deal--I
wouldn't have them in my house--but it seems there
wasn't any other house they couldn't go to in London."
"Oh yes, there were many houses," she interposed.
"It wasn't a nice exhibition that society made of itself--
one admits that,--but it was only one set that quite lost
their heads. There are all kinds of sets, you know.
And--I don't think I see your application, in any event.
The craze, as you call it, was all on a business basis.
People ran after those who could tell them which shares were
going up, and they gambled in those shares.
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