The change was brought; eighteen shillings. Richard gave the waitress fourpence in coppers.... “Come along.”
“That was my fourpence,” said David. “You had no coppers in your pocket. It was over from the half-crown I lent you on the ’bus to stand me my fare. This is going to be a serious business in settling up, Marcus. It ought to be attended to at once.”
“Quite simple; if I borrowed half-a-crown, as you say——”
“If? You did.”
“And I pay your penny fare as well as my own, then I owe you two and fourpence——”
“No, you don’t. You owe me two and six. No, two and eight. My own original half-crown and twopence for the fares.”
“Why should I pay you twopence for the fares—you’re not the bus conductor? Two-and-four I owe you. I can’t give you the fourpence—I’ve just given it away, and I’ve no more small change. Here’s two bob and I owe you fourpence.”
“You’re all wrong, my lad. Think you can teach a Jew? I’ll argue my rights to the last halfpenny, if I have to take you along to Palestine to do it.”
“Argue away,” grinned Richard.