You've got a good thing, but you'll have to
sacrifice in order to hold on. There ain't no use spouting hard
times explanations. Don't I know the hard times is on? Ain't
that what you're here for? As I said before, you've got to dig.
I run the majority stock, and it's come to a case of assess.
It's that or smash. If ever I start going you won't know what
struck you, I'll smash that hard. The small fry can let go, but
you big ones can't. This ship won't sink as long as you stay
with her. But if you start to leave her, down you'll sure go
before you can get to shore. This assessment has got to be met
that's all."
The big wholesale supply houses, the caterers for his hotels, and
all the crowd that incessantly demanded to be paid, had their hot
half-hours with him. He summoned them to his office and
displayed his latest patterns of can and can't and will and
won't.
"By God, you've got to carry me!" he told them. "If you think
this is a pleasant little game of parlor whist and that you can
quit and go home whenever you want, you're plumb wrong. Look
here, Watkins, you remarked five minutes ago that you wouldn't
stand for it. Now let me tell you a few.
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