"Reade, aren't you going to take us down to the water front and show us the extent of the damage ?" "I shall be only too glad to do so, sir," Tom agreed.
Even Mr.Bascomb consented at last to go.

As they gained the porch Nicolas rushed up with the cigars for which the president had sent him.
While Mr.Bascomb paused to light one, Mr.Prenter thrust an arm through Tom's and led that youth down the road.
"Now, Mr.Reade," murmured the treasurer, earnestly, "Mr.Bascomb, of course, is our president, and I don't want you to treat him with the slightest disrespect.

But Bascomb isn't the majority stockholder nor the whole board of directors, so I'll just drop this hint: When Bascomb talks of resignations don't attach too serious importance to it until you receive a resolution endorsing the same view and passed by the board of directors of the company." "Thank you.

I have no intention of resigning," smiled Tom.
"Now, let's go on," continued Mr.Prenter.
Mr.Bascomb, having his cigar lighted, seemed to prefer strolling in the rear by himself.
"Now, I don't want to give you any wrong impressions, Mr.Reade," went on Mr.Prenter.

"Mr.Bascomb is the head of our company, but other directors represent more of the stock of the company than he does.