《股票作手回忆录·第五章·赚大钱靠坐得住·老火鸡》第12节
“What?” yelled Elmer. “I simply can’t!” said Mr. Partridge. He was in great trouble. “Didn’t I give you the tip to buy it?” “You did, Mr. Harwood, and I am very grateful to you. Indeed, I am, sir. But----” “Hold on! Let me talk! And didn’t that stock go up seven points in ten days? Didn’t it?” “It did, and I am much obliged to you, my dear boy. But I couldn’t think of selling that stock.” “You couldn’t?” asked Elmer, beginning to look doubtful himself. It is a habit with most tip givers to be tip takers. “No, I couldn’t.” “Why not?” And Elmer drew nearer. “Why, this is a bull market!” The old fellow said it as though he had given a long and detailed explanation. “That’s all right,” said Elmer, looking angry because of his disappointment. “I know this is a bull market as well as you do. But you’d better slip them that stock of yours and buy it back on the reaction. You might as well reduce the cost to yourself.” “My dear boy,” said old Partridge, in great distress--“my dear boy, if I sold that stock now I’d lose my position; and then where would I be?”
注释摘要
这场对话发生在一个极具历史感的场景里。我们得先回到 1907 年恐慌前后，去理解“经纪商营业厅”（commission house）这种地方。当时的营业厅就像一个半开放的俱乐部，里面摆着行情收报机，不断吐出印着股票代码和价格的窄纸条，也就是“纸带”。客户们整天聚在这里，盯着纸带，交换消息，并且通过厅里的出市代表把买卖指令传到交易所。这里弥漫着一种浓烈的投机…