But he did not approach and point out particular passages. Instead he seemed to know that leaden oblong by heart. He gave a short laugh.
“Hard? It’s hard enough on the depositors out there!... They’ve been withdrawing again, and of course the Banks have had to realize.”
“Yes, I saw that bit,” said Amory.
“A forced realization,” Mr. Strong continued. “Depreciation in values, of course. And it’s spreading.”
It sounded to Amory rather like smallpox, but, “I suppose that’s the Monsoon?” she hazarded.
“Partly, of course. Not altogether. There’s the rupee too, of course. At present that’s at about one and twopence, but then there are these bi-metallists.... So until we know what’s going to happen, it seems to me we’re bound hand and foot.”
Amory was awed.—“What—what do you think will happen?” she asked.
Edgar gave a shrug.—“Well—when a Bank begins paying out in pennies it’s as well to prepare for the worst, you know.”
“Are—are they doing that?” Amory asked in a whisper. “Really? And is that the bi-metallists’ doing—or is it the Home Government? Do explain it to me so that I can visualize it. You know I always understand things better when I can visualize them. That’s because I’m an artist.—Does it mean that there are long strings of natives, with baskets and things on their heads to put the pennies in, all waiting at the Banks, like people in the theatre-queues?”
“I dare say. I suppose they have to carry the pennies somehow. But I’m afraid I can’t tell you more than’s in the papers.”