“I did neither. I sold the yacht in New York for what it would bring.”
“How much money did you have when you bought your yacht?”
“I had what you would call half a million.”
“Why do you say what I would call half a million? What would you call it?”
“I should call it a hundred thousand.”
“Ah, I see. You’re talking of pounds, and I’m talking of dollars. You’re an Englishman, I suspect. Are you an educated man?”
“Moderately so. Eton and Oxford,” said I, the champagne beginning to have its usual effect on a hungry man. However, the announcement of Eton and Oxford had no effect upon Mr. Hemster, so it did not matter.
“Come, young fellow,” he said, with some impatience, “tell me all about yourself, and don’t have to be drawn out like a witness on the stand.”
“Very well,” said I, “here is my story. After I left Oxford I had some little influence, as you might call it.”
“No, a ‘pull,’ I would call it. All right, where did it land you?”