Guest's expression changed. He beamed on the other and adopted a knowing air.
"Aha!" he said, "I begin to understand. It is a matter of business this. So you were thinking of taking this restaurant, eh?"
"For me it would be a different affair altogether," he said hastily. "I have explained that."
"I think, Mr. Kauffman," he said, "that I have made a good bargain. I am very much obliged to you, but I think that I shall stick to it!"
Mr. Kauffman was silent for several moments. The expression upon his face was not amiable.
"I understand," he said at last. "You do not believe me. Yet every word that I have spoken to you is truth. If a stranger becomes proprietor of this restaurant, its business will be ruined."
"No! no!" Guest protested. "They will come once to see, and they will remain. The chef, the waiters, I keep them all. There will be no alterations. The social club of which you spoke--they can have their room! I am not inquisitive. I shall never interfere."
"Mr. Mayer," Kauffman said, "I will give you fifty pounds for your bargain!"
"I shall not sell" he answered. "I want my nephew to learn the business, and I want to go home myself soon. I have no time to look out for another."
"I shall not sell," Guest repeated obstinately. "I am sorry if you are disappointed."
"You will be sorry before very long that you refused my offer," he remarked.
"No!" he said, "I think not. The people will come where they can eat well and eat cheaply. They shall do both here."
Kauffman remained for a few more minutes at our table, but he did not return to the subject. After he had left us with a somewhat stiff bow, he went and talked earnestly with Karl, the little head-waiter. Then he slowly returned.
"Mr. Mayer," he said, "I'm going to make you a very rash offer. I will give you £200 profit on your bargain."
"I am not inclined to sell," Guest said. "One hundred, or two hundred, or five hundred won't tempt me now that my mind is made up."
Kauffman left the restaurant without a word. Guest called the waiter to him.
"Karl," he said, "do you wish to stay here as head-waiter?"
"Certainly, sir," the man answered, a little nervously. "I know most of the customers. But I fear they will not stay."
"We shall see," Guest answered. "I am not in a great hurry to make money. I want them to be satisfied, and I want my nephew to be learning the business. You shall do what you can to keep them, Karl, and it will mean money to you. Now about this club! They spend money these members, eh?"