"Gloves. Need I go through the sad list?"
Edith shook her head. "What's the total?"
"Fifty-four pounds, thirteen and fourpence. I'm hoping to avoid the fourpence in discounts. Total spare cash, twenty pounds, and nearly three months to go before I touch any more."
"Poor boy, have you really only twenty pounds?"
"To throw about in bills, certainly. I shall want all my other money for rent and food and cash payments."
"And are they all clamouring for their money?"
"Yes, the sharks."
Edith lay back in her chair and thought. Suddenly she sat up.
"It can't be helped," she said. "Some of them will have to wait. We'll put their names in a hat and the first three we draw out get paid."
"Yes," I objected, "but what about my overcoats?"