"Only I am afraid that wealth will not help you. The most vulgar and
ignorant people I know are among the wealthiest. There is a more
genuine simplicity and naturalness among the contented and competent
poor than any other class. You were wrong, Burton. Riches breed
idleness, riches tempt one to the purchase of false pleasure. You would
have been better back upon your stool in my office."
"It is too late," Burton declared, a little doggedly. "I came to ask
you if you wanted to join? For two more beans they would make you, too,
a director, and give you five thousand shares."
Mr. Waddington shook his head.
"Thank you, Burton," he said, "I would sooner retain my beans. I have
no interest in your enterprise. I think it hateful and abominable. I
cannot conceive," he went on, "how you, Burton, in your sane mind, could
have stooped so low as to associate yourself in any way with the thing."
"You don't know what my temptations were!" Burton groaned.
"And therefore," Mr. Waddington replied, "I will not judge you. Yet do
not think that I should ever allow myself to consider your proposition,
even for a moment. Tell me, you say you've parted with your last
bean--"
"And my time is almost up!" Burton interrupted, beating the table before
him.
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