"I should simply tell her, sir, that you'd been thinking things over, and that you'd come to the conclusion that two guineas a week was too much to pay her at the start; and that you thought--should I say fifteen shillings ought to be enough at the beginning, sir?"
"Fifteen shillings! And I promised her two guineas!"
"Yes, sir, you promised her."
"What kind of a person do you suppose she'd think I am?"
"I don't see how it matters, sir."
"You don't see how it matters!"
"Well, sir, you can't pay her two guineas a week, no matter what she thinks of you; and you might manage to pay her fifteen shillings--somehow. I expect you'd find she'd sooner have fifteen shillings in cash than two guineas in promises."
"Mr. Gibb, you appear to have a high opinion of me."
"I have, sir; I couldn't have a higher."
"Couldn't you? you young scoundrel! Pray when did I make a promise to you which I didn't keep, to the letter?"