I would like to have you take them, though it doesn't make a bit of difference so long as it's in the family.
You can put any one you please in for president, and we'll make the thing come out right."
Lester smiled.
It was a pleasant proposition.
Watson had told him that Robert's interests were co-operating with him. Lester had long suspected that Robert would like to make up.
This was the olive branch—the control of a property worth in the neighborhood of a million and a half.
"That's very nice of you," said Lester solemnly.
"It's a rather liberal thing to do.
What makes you want to do it now?"
"Well, to tell you the honest truth, Lester," replied Robert,
"I never did feel right about that will business. I never did feel right about that secretary-treasurership and some other things that have happened.
I don't want to rake up the past—you smile at that—but I can't help telling you how I feel.
I've been pretty ambitious in the past.
I was pretty ambitious just about the time that father died to get this United Carriage scheme under way, and I was afraid you might not like it.
I have thought since that I ought not to have done it, but I did. I suppose you're not anxious to hear any more about that old affair.
This other thing though—"
"Might be handed out as a sort of compensation," put in Lester quietly.
"Not exactly that, Lester—though it may have something of that in it.
I know these things don't matter very much to you now.
I know that the time to do things was years ago—not now.
Still I thought sincerely that you might be interested in this proposition.
It might lead to other things.
Frankly, I thought it might patch up matters between us. We're brothers after all."
"Yes," said Lester, "we're brothers."
He was thinking as he said this of the irony of the situation.
How much had this sense of brotherhood been worth in the past?
Robert had practically forced him into his present relationship, and while Jennie had been really the only one to suffer, he could not help feeling angry.
It was true that Robert had not cut him out of his one-fourth of his father's estate, but certainly he had not helped him to get it, and now Robert was thinking that this offer of his might mend things.
It hurt him—Lester—a little.
It irritated him.
Life was strange.
"I can't see it, Robert," he said finally and determinedly.
"I can appreciate the motive that prompts you to make this offer.
But I can't see the wisdom of my taking it.
Your opportunity is your opportunity.
I don't want it.
We can make all the changes you suggest if you take the stock.
I'm rich enough anyhow.
Bygones are bygones.
I'm perfectly willing to talk with you from time to time.
That's all you want.
This other thing is simply a sop with which to plaster an old wound.
You want my friendship and so far as I'm concerned you have that.
I don't hold any grudge against you.
I won't."
Robert looked at him fixedly. He half smiled.
He admired Lester in spite of all that he had done to him—in spite of all that Lester was doing to him now.
"I don't know but what you're right, Lester," he admitted finally.
"I didn't make this offer in any petty spirit though.
I wanted to patch up this matter of feeling between us.