"I don't exactly derive any income from either. You see, the two things go together—I mean the property and the mortgages. I don't fancy the mortgagees get much income from the property, though I suppose they try their best. Perhaps, strictly speaking, I can hardly call the property mine since the mortgagees took possession. The mortgages however are undoubtedly mine. I created them, you know."
Sir George rose pompously, so I went on at once:
"I have some shares. I should like your opinion on them."
"What kind of shares?"
"The usual kind—paper, but quite nice artistic designs on them."
"In what companies?"
"I forget the names of the companies, but I think that they had something to do with rubber."
"Then you can take my advice and sell them."
"Thanks awfully," I said, "if that means that you'll buy them. I always thought that I should eventually find someone to help me out."
"I will not buy your shares. But before I finally close this interview I should like to know, as a matter of curiosity, on what you live?"