When at last they departed, Edward was ready to go to his club, but Augusta stopped him. "Sit down and listen for a moment," she said. "I want to talk to you and your father." Joseph, who was heading for bed, sat down again. She addressed him. "When are you going to make Edward a partner in the bank?"
Joseph immediately looked cross. "When he is older."
"But I hear that Hugh may be made a partner, and he is three years younger than Edward." Although Augusta had no idea how money was made she always knew what was happening at the bank in terms of the personal advancement or otherwise of family members. Men did not normally talk business in front of ladies, but Augusta got it all out of them at her teatime gatherings.
"Seniority is only one of the ways in which a man may qualify as a partner," Joseph said irritably. "Another is the ability to bring in business, which Hugh has to a degree I have never seen in so young a man. Other qualifications would be a large capital investment in the bank, high social position, or political influence. I am afraid that as yet Edward has none of these."
"But he is your son."
"A bank is a business, not a dinner party!" Joseph said, getting angrier. He hated her to challenge him. "Position is not merely a question of rank or precedence. Ability to make money is the test."
Augusta suffered a moment of doubt. Ought she to push for Edward's advancement if he was not really able? But that was nonsense. He was perfectly all right. He might not be able to add up a column of figures as fast as Hugh, but breeding would tell in the end. She said: "Edward could have a large capital investment in the bank, if you so wished. You can settle money on him anytime you please."
Joseph's face took on the stubborn look that Augusta knew well, the look he wore when he refused to move house or forbade her to redecorate his bedroom. "Not before the boy marries!" he said, and with that he left the room.
Edward said: "You've made him angry."
"It's only for your sake, Teddy darling."
"But you've made matters worse!"
"No, I haven't." Augusta sighed. "Sometimes your generous outlook prevents you from seeing what is going on. Your papa may believe that he has taken a firm stand, but if you think about what he said you'll realize that he has promised to settle a large sum on you and make you a partner as soon as you get married."
"Goodness, I suppose he has," Edward said in surprise. "I didn't look at it that way."
