Moore groaned.
"And I think," continued the old gentleman, "that I can borrow five pounds from my valet if the rascal is not in a state of beastly sobriety."
"And I 've not twenty pounds to my name," said Moore, losing hope for the moment.
"Your name should carry more weight than twenty pounds," returned Sheridan. "Perhaps I can borrow some from a stranger."
"But a stranger would not know you, Sherry," objected Brummell.
"But if he knew him he wouldn't lend him a penny," said Moore. "Think of it, gentlemen. What would posterity say if it knew? Beau Brummell, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and Tom Moore together cannot raise one hundred pounds in a time of desperate need."
"What would posterity say?" sighed Brummell in disgust.
"Oh, d--n posterity!" cried Sheridan. "What has posterity ever done for us?"
"Give it time, Sherry, give it time."
"That is one thing I am never short of, Tommy."