Tono-Bungay, after its reconstruction,
paid thirteen, Moggs seven, Domestic Utilities had been a safe-looking
nine; here was Household Services with eight; on such a showing he had
merely to buy and sell Roeburn's Antiseptic fluid, Razor soaks and Bath
crystals in three weeks to clear twenty thousand pounds.
I do think that as a matter of fact Roeburn's was good value at the
price at which he gave it to the public, at least until it was strained
by ill-conserved advertisement. It was a period of expansion and
confidence; much money was seeking investment and "Industrials" were the
fashion. Prices were rising all round. There remained little more for
my uncle to do therefore, in his climb to the high unstable crest
of Financial Greatness but, as he said, to "grasp the cosmic oyster,
George, while it gaped," which, being translated, meant for him to buy
respectable businesses confidently and courageously at the vendor's
estimate, add thirty or forty thousand to the price and sell them again.
His sole difficulty indeed was the tactful management of the load
of shares that each of these transactions left upon his hands.
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