"Humanity and prudence would both be on your side.

You'll get their fur by it." "I think Mr.Gaviller expects to get the fur anyway," said Strange with a seeming deprecatory air--but the suspicion of a smirk wreathed his full lips.
"Then I am to understand that you refuse to grind my grain at any price," said Ambrose.
"Orders are orders," murmured Strange.
"Has Gaviller given you this order since he knew the people were hungry ?" "He has told me his mind many times." "That is not a direct answer.

Some one must take the full responsibility.

If I write a short note to Gaviller will you deliver it and bring me back an answer ?" Strange hesitated for the fraction of a second.

"Yes," he said.
Ambrose wrote a succinct statement of the situation, and Strange departed.
"Gaviller will never do it," said Simon.
"I don't expect him to," said Ambrose.