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THE FOUR PHILANTHROPISTS
23

The name's so important in a company," said Chelubai.

"And as for the matter of payments for the company's work, they'll have to be fixed, the amount that is, with each job. They'll vary," said Chelubai.

"I prefer to call them subscriptions," said I.

"I don't see how you can in business," said Chelubai.

"Never mind, then," I said with a sigh. "But at any rate they'll be high."

"Sure," said Chelubai. "Expert work like this—and we the only firm doing it They'll be high; we can make our own prices—and we will."

"By Jove, if I only could get hold of three or four thousand! Why, we could take the house next to our Children's Hospital in Jamaica Place, and fit it up with thirty beds! I know a score of little beggars who ought to be in hospital at this minute. By Jove!" said I, warming as the possibilities of the scheme flashed upon me.

"I can let you have a hundred. I've done very well at racing lately," said Bottiger quickly.

"So can I," said Chelubai.

"Thanks—thanks—I could do with it well. But thousands! Just think of it! Thousands! Oh, let's get the company started at once!" said I. "Why, we could have a house in the country, too—for convalescents!"