"Of course," continued the unlearned Miss Gaymer, "to people like Ursula these things are as easy as falling off a log, but for you and me, who know nothing about business, they're pretty stiff to tackle, aren't they?"
"Quite so," agreed Hughie meekly. "But look here, Joey," he continued, "are you really in want of money?"
"Of course she is!" said Miss Harbord, overhearing and resuming the offensive.
"I could do with a few more frocks, Hughie," said Miss Gaymer wistfully, "if it wouldn't be a bother to change those investments about a bit, as Ursula advises. Still, if it can't be done, we'll say no more about it."
"Will another hundred a-year be any use to you?" said Hughie suddenly.
"Oh, Hughie, I should think so! Can it be managed without a fearful upset?" cried Miss Gaymer, her eyes already brightening over a vista of blouse-lengths and double-widths.
"Yes," said Hughie shortly. "I'll—I'll make the necessary changes and see that the cash is paid into your banking account."
"You dear!" said Miss Gaymer, with sincerity.
"A hundred pounds? It might be more!" observed the daughter of the horse-leech on the sofa. Fourteen per cent still rankled in her Napoleonic brain.
Hughie crossed to the writing-table and tore up a telegraph-form.