《股票作手回忆录·第五章·赚大钱靠坐得住·老火鸡》第11节
Well, Elmer made for the old man and, without a word of apology to John Fanning, told Turkey, “Mr. Partridge, I have just sold my Climax Motors. My people say the market is entitled to a reaction and that I’ll be able to buy it back cheaper. So you’d better do likewise. That is, if you’ve still got yours.” Elmer looked suspiciously at the man to whom he had given the original tip to buy. The amateur, or gratuitous, tipster always thinks he owns the receiver of his tip body and soul, even before he knows how the tip is going to turn out. “Yes, Mr. Harwood, I still have it. Of course!” said Turkey gratefully. It was nice of Elmer to think of the old chap. “Well, now is the time to take your profit and get in again on the next dip,” said Elmer, as if he had just made out the deposit slip for the old man. Failing to perceive enthusiastic gratitude in the beneficiary’s face, Elmer went on: “I have just sold every share I owned!” From his voice and manner you would have conservatively estimated it at ten thousand shares. But Mr. Partridge shook his head regretfully and whined, “No! No! I can’t do that!”
注释摘要
这段描写是全书最精彩的戏剧性场面之一，它用一段简洁的对话撕开了投机世界里两种截然不同的心智形态。我们先要回到那个时代。1900年代初期，华尔街还处在一个信息传递靠行情纸带、小道消息靠口耳相传的年代。一个普通的经纪行客户，日常能得到的所谓“情报”，多半来自“我的线人说”、“某内幕人士透露”或“我朋友的朋友听到的”，而埃尔默·哈伍德正是这种文化的活化身。他那句…