The man indulged in a slight demonstration of dissent.
"No, sir, that won't do."
"Half the bill," roared Algernon; "half the bill, I wouldn't mind paying."
"About two-thirds, sir, is what Mr. Samuels asked for, and he'll stop, and go on as before."
"He'll stop and he'll go on, will he? Mr. Samuels is amazingly like one of his own watches," Algernon sneered vehemently. "Well," he pursued, in fancied security, "I'll pay two-thirds."
"Three hundred, sir."
"Ay, three hundred. Tell him to send a receipt for the three hundred, and he shall have it. As to my entering his shop again, that I shall have to think over."
"That's what gentlemen in Mr. Samuels' position have to run risk of, sir," said the man.
Algernon, more in astonishment than trepidation, observed him feeling at his breast-pocket. The action resulted in an exhibition of a second bill, with a legal receipt attached to it, for three hundred pounds.
"Mr. Samuels is anxious to accommodate you in every way, sir. It isn't the full sum he wants; it's a portion. He thought you might prefer to discharge a portion."