"Merrett, Barnacle, and Company pay my tailor's bill! Oh, no! quite out
of the question!" I exclaimed.
"Ah, that's a pity! I should have liked their bill, and you could pay
them by instalments."
"I wouldn't on any account have them spoken to on the subject," said I.
"Well, perhaps your friend here--"
"No," said Jack; "I've no money at all."
"Your uncle possibly--"
How had the man heard that I had an uncle? He seemed to know all about
me, and I began to get uncomfortable.
"My uncle, I fear, would not advance the money. I have already asked
him, and had no reply."
"This is rather awkward for you, sir," said Mr Shoddy, coolly. "I
quite hoped you would have been prepared with a proposal."
"I might be able to pay you a shilling a week," I faltered.
Mr Shoddy shrugged his shoulders. "Three pounds six is sixty-six
shillings, interest six and six; seventy-two shillings and sixpence--
seventy-two and a half weeks--one year and four and a half months to pay
off. Thank you, sir; can't do it."
"I don't know what to do if you won't accept that," I faltered.
"Three shillings a week, _secured_," said the tailor, "would meet the
case, I think. What do you think?"
"I could never keep it up, I fear," said I; "but I'd try."
"Thank you, sir. You draw your salary weekly, I believe?"
"Yes," I said.
"Oh, then, if I just look in and see one of the principals and explain,
he'll stop the three shillings a week for me, which will save all
trouble. What time are they generally at home?"
The cool resolve of the man to make my employers a party to my debt
positively terrified me. I begged him to give up the idea, promised
wildly to do all sorts of things to pay him, and entreated him to give
me more time.
He was politely inexorable. "Pleased to oblige you, but, after a year,
we must look after our little accounts, mustn't we? Let's see, to-
morrow I'm engaged. I'll look in on Friday and settle it."
No argument or entreaty of mine could make him understand such a step
would be ruination to me. He was firmly convinced a guarantee from the
firm would be the best security for his money, and so, simply
disregarding all my protests and appeals, gaily promised to see me again
on Friday.
What was I to do? My only hope was in my uncle's answer, and that, as
the reader knows, was small enough.