Look here, I have two stories to tell you. One is quite true, the other isn't. Which will you have first? All right, the truth.
When I first came to town I was very—I mean I believed everything I was told. One Sunday I met a small but elderly gentleman on the Embankment, who asked me the way to the German Embassy. He had the river to his south, so obviously all the embassies were in the other direction. I pointed vaguely towards the north. He thanked me and said that—— (By the way, do you prefer oratio recta? I forgot to ask you.) Well, then, he said:
"The embassies would be shut on a Sunday, hein?"
I said: "Doubtless."
He said: "I am a Professor at Heidelberg. I have just arrived in London, and I have no money. To-morrow I go to my Embassy and get some. Meanwhile, could you lend me five shillings?"
Charles, in those days I was very—— Well, I gave him half-a-crown.
He said: "I should like to pay this back to you."
I said: "Quite so. That is the idea."
"Then would you give me your card, so that I can send you the money to-morrow?"
Charles, I—— You see, I had just had some cards printed. They had "Mr" on for the first time. I was very—— Well, I gave him one.