This was already being done, Van Heldre having moistened a finger and begun handling the notes in regular bank-clerk style.
“All right; five fifty,” he said.
“And he said they were shrimps,” said Mrs Van Heldre.
“Eh? I did?” said Uncle Luke with a grim look and a twinkle of the eye. “Nonsense, it must have been you.”
“Look here, Luke Vine,” said Van Heldre; “is it any use to try and teach you at your time of life?”
“Not a bit: so don’t try.”
“But why expose yourself to all this trouble and risk? Why didn’t your broker send you a cheque?”
“Because I wouldn’t let him.”
“Why not have a banking account, and do all your money transactions in an ordinary way?”
“Because I like to do things in my own way. I don’t trust bankers, nor anybody else.”