"Miss Strange will not be long and wishes to be present when we begin.

She holds the largest block of shares." "Then I suppose Miss Strange must be indulged; but I don't know that her holding is larger than these gentlemen's and mine," Stormont replied with a meaning smile.
George saw he had been given a hint, but he and the others began to talk good-humoredly.

All knew that a struggle was coming, but polite amenities were dignified and marked one's confidence.

By and by the door opened and Stormont frowned as Thirlwell came in with Agatha.
"We are glad to see Miss Strange, but Mr.Thirlwell owns none of the company's stock," he said.
Thirlwell smiled, in a rather curious way, but said nothing and Agatha replied: "Mr.Thirlwell is the manager; I asked him to come." "Then I take back my objection," Stormont said with a bow.

"I asked you and Mr.Strange to meet us so that we could talk informally about some business.