The smiling gentleman laughed genially.
"A man of fashion, Mr. Callon, has of course many expenses which we humdrum business people are spared. Let me see. The total amount due is----" And Mr. Humphreys made a calculation with his pen.
"I came to ask for an extension of time," Callon blurted out; and the smiling gentleman ceased to smile. He gazed through his spectacles with a look of the utmost astonishment. "You see, Mr. Humphreys, all these bills, each one accompanied with a peremptory demand for payment, have been presented together, almost as it were by the same post."
"They are all, however, to account rendered," said Mr. Humphreys, as he removed and breathed upon his spectacles.
"It would, I frankly confess, seriously embarrass me to settle them all at once."
"Dear, dear!" said Mr. Humphreys, in a voice of regret. "I am very sorry. These duties are very painful to me, Mr. Callon. But I have the strictest instructions." And he rose from his chair to conclude the interview.
"One moment," said Callon. "I want to ask you how it is that all my bills have come into your hands? Who is it who has brought them up?"
"Really, really, Mr. Callon," the lawyer protested. "I cannot listen to such suggestions." And then the smile came back to his face. "Why not pay them in full?" His eyes beamed through his spectacles. He had an air of making a perfectly original and delightful suggestion. "Sit down in this comfortable chair now, and write me out a little cheque for--let me see----" And he went back to his table.
"I must have some time," said Callon.
Mr. Humphreys was gradually persuaded that the concession of a little time was reasonable.