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And suppose there's a colliers' strike as there's bound to be sooner or later where shall we be then?" Mr Blackhurst nodded once more, while Peake, intoxicated by his own rhetoric, began actually to imagine that his commercial condition was indeed perilous. "I've had several very severe losses lately," he went on.
At that moment the servant opened the door. "Mr Titus Blackhurst, senior, to see you, sir." Peake and his wife looked at one another in amazement, and Sneyd laughed quietly. "He told me he should come up," Mrs Lovatt explained. "Show him into the breakfast-room, Clara," said Mrs Peake to the servant.
He stood up last night, Mr Blackhurst told me this morning, and he said, 'Friends, I've only seventy pounds in the world, but I'll give fifty pounds towards this organ. There! What do you think of that? Isn't he a grand fellow?" "He is a grand fellow," said Peake, with emphasis, reflecting that the total income of the minister could not exceed three hundred a year.
Mind you, Mr Blackhurst, if there's anyone in Bursley that I should have liked to oblige, it's you. We've had business dealings, you and me, for many years now, and I fancy we know one another. I've the highest respect for you, and if you'll excuse me saying so, I think you've some respect for me. My rule is always to be candid.
Mr Blackhurst nodded slowly, as though meditating upon profound truths ably expressed. "Well," Peake resumed, "I'm not one of that sort. If I can afford to give, I give; but not otherwise. How do I know how I stand? I needn't tell you, Mr Blackhurst, that trade in this district is in a very queer state a very queer state indeed.
Three hundred and fifty pound that's my bit; I'm told they won't pay six shillings in the pound. Isn't that a warning? What right had they to go offering their hundred pound apiece to your organ fund?" "It was very wrong," said Mr Blackhurst, severely, "and what's more, it brings discredit on the Methodist society."
Mr Blackhurst then went on to make plain that it was in danger of utterly collapsing, that only one man of "our Methodist friends" could save it, and that both Mrs Sutton and Mrs Lovatt had advised him to come and make a personal appeal to that man.
Peake knew of old, and in other affairs, the wily diplomatic skill of this Sunday School superintendent, and when Mr Blackhurst paused he collected himself for an effort which should conclude the episode at a stroke. "The fact is," he said, "I've decided that I can't help you. It's no good beating about the bush, and so I tell you this at once.
Mr Blackhurst took off a wrinkled black glove, stroked his grey beard, and started on a long account of the inception and progress of the organ scheme. Peake listened and was drawn into an admission that it was a good scheme and deserved to succeed.
Titus Blackhurst has most generously given another hundred; he said it would be a shame if the bankruptcy of professed Methodists was allowed to prejudice the interests of the chapel. And the organ-makers have taken fifty pounds off their price. Now, who do you think has given another fifty? Mr Copinger!
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