“Well, what have I done that is ridiculous?”
“Ridiculous? Why I was smiling because it seemed like the good old times to have you back busy with the books.”
“Crampton, we often say that my old friend is an eccentric character, but really I think Luke Vine must give place to you.”
“Dessay,” said Crampton sourly. “You go on with these accounts. Look half way down.”
Van Heldre did look half way down, and paused.
“Five hundred pounds on the credit side, per the cheque I wrote for Mr Luke Vine—why, what’s this?”
“Ah! that’s what you may well say, sir. Refused to take the money, sir. I’m sure I’m not so eccentric as that.”
“But you never mentioned it, Crampton?”
“Yes, I did, sir, with my pen. There it is in black and white. Better and plainer than sounding words: and, besides you weren’t here.”
“But this is absurd, Crampton.”