"Why not? If you are going to control a big capital, you must learn business habits or you will lose it, no matter how large it may be."
"Would Somerset House compel you to pay me, Mr. Isaacstein?"
"Not exactly, but the stamping of important documents is a means toward an end, I assure you."
"I will see to it, but I wanted primarily to be certain of one of two things: First, will you pay the five thousand pounds as promised? Second, will you give me a fresh purchase note for my diamonds which will not indicate so definitely that I am the boy concerning whom there has been so much needless publicity during the last few days?"
It was of no avail for Isaacstein to bandy words with Philip. A boy of fifteen who casually introduced such a word as "primarily" into a sentence, and gave a shrewd thrust about "needless publicity" to the person responsible for it, was not to be browbeaten, even in business affairs.
The Jew whipped out a check book.
"Am I to make out a check for five thousand pounds to 'Philip'?" he asked.
"No; to Philip Anson, please."
"Thank you; and now, shall I put any address on the contract note which I will hand you?"
"The Pall Mall Hotel."