Why the delay?
And look at this.
Here is a lot of material gone to the scrap heap, the finest spruce ever grown in Canada too.

What does this mean, Wickes ?" he seemed to welcome the opportunity of finding a scapegoat for economic crimes, for which he could find no pardon.
Sheet after sheet passed in swift review under his eye.

Suddenly he flung himself back in his chair.
"Wickes, this is simply damnable!" "Yes, sir," said Wickes, his face pale and his fingers trembling.

"I don't--I don't seem to be able to--to--get things through." "Get things through?
I should say not," shouted Maitland, glaring at him.
"I have tried, I mean I'm afraid I'm--that I am not quite up to it, as I used to be.

I get confused--and--" The old bookkeeper's lips were white and quivering.