"The financial statement submitted to the directors by our good friend Mr. Fuller there, is a highly satisfactory one, and the recent audit was conducted to the complete—er—satisfac—to the complete—that is—to the—er—general——"
The Alderman paused again, struggled, was defeated, and ended defiantly, "To the general satisfaction."
"I will ask Mr. Fuller to read to the meeting those figures which will best serve to put the position clearly before the meeting."
Fairfax Fuller, standing at attention, his voice impassive, and his face full of triumph, recited a rapid litany, in which the words "two thousand eight hundred and eleven" predominated.
"Bravo," murmured Mark Easter, thus encouraging the members of the meeting to a general rustle of applause at this indication that something, evidently numbering two thousand eight hundred and eleven parts, had been gained, or saved, or judiciously made use of, for their benefit.
"That, if I may say so, gentlemen," Mr. Fuller impressively remarked, "is a very remarkable result. When I came here as Supervisor, three years ago, matters were not in this state. Far from it. Mr. Mark Easter here can tell you that, so can Sir Julian Rossiter. The College, if I may say so, has pulled itself together since then. I don't wish to claim any credit for myself." ("Liar!" mentally ejaculated Julian.) "But the figures at the end of each year have shown a very marked improvement. I hope next year we may do better still. I may say, that I hope so confidently."
Fuller sat down again, pulling up the legs of his trousers at the knees, and sufficiently intent upon the operation to miss the smile of congratulation that Lady Rossiter was holding in waiting for him.
The old chairman, breathing heavily, leant across the table and addressed Sir Julian Rossiter.
"Now, Sir Julian, you're a younger man than I am, and I'm going to ask you to raise the one or two points we have here on the agenda. I think we want the opinion of the meeting on one or two matters, eh?"
Julian spoke rapidly, and as concisely as possible. Cooper's pencil flew across the pages of his note-book.