"Fifty-four pounds, thirteen and fourpence. I'm hoping to avoid the
fourpence in discounts. Total spare cash, twenty pounds, and nearly
three months to go before I touch any more."
"Poor boy, have you really only twenty pounds?"
"To throw about in bills, certainly. I shall want all my other money for
rent and food and cash payments."
"And are they all clamouring for their money?"
"Yes, the sharks."
Edith lay back in her chair and thought. Suddenly she sat up.
"It can't be helped," she said. "Some of them will have to wait. We'll
put their names in a hat and the first three we draw out get paid."
"Yes," I objected, "but what about my overcoats?"
"You must wait."
"No," I said, "I have a better idea." I paused impressively. "I think
that we can fairly assume that my creditors are sportsmen. At any rate,
they must have the benefit of the doubt. That being so, I put my own
name in the hat and draw against them. If I'm in the first three I get
my new coats."
"But----"
"Not a word." I slipped noiselessly out of the room and came back with
Henry's Homburg. In less than five minutes everything was prepared.
"Now," said Edith, and she put her hand in the hat. There was a tense
silence. "(1) Glover, (2) Tobacconist, (3) Tailor. Bad luck!"
I suppressed a groan. Had I not been sitting down, I should probably
have reeled. Then, with an effort, I pulled myself together and smiled.
"Well, that's all right," I said.
"All right?"
"Certainly," I said; "I can pay off the first two."
"But what about the tailor?"
"I have thought of that," said I. "I shall make a distinction in his
favour. I shall give him an order for two coats. Surely that means more
to him than a mere settlement."
"Yes," said Edith doubtfully. "But of course you'll pay him the money?"
I laughed amazedly. "My dear girl! Either I pay his account just like
the other two, or I distinguish him by ordering the new coats. He can't
have it both ways. And I couldn't very well pay for the new coats, if
that's what you mean, before the old account is settled. You see that?"
"Yes, but still it doesn't seem----"
"Ah, perhaps not," I said, "perhaps not, at first sight. I hardly saw it
myself at first. It was really a clever idea of yours."
Edith brightened visibly. "Yes, wasn't it?" she said.
* * * * *