"Mr. Farnum believed you would find it wholly convenient, now, to settle the account for the last bill," Benson went on, slipping the statement from an inner pocket and laying it on the desk before Mr. Forrester. That gentleman frowned slightly.
"I trust we haven't called at the wrong time, and that it will be wholly convenient for you this evening," Jack continued.
"But, see here, young man, I know nothing about you. You have the bill, true, but it is not receipted."
"I will receipt it, in Mr. Farnum's name."
"All well and good," replied Mr. Forrester. "But—pardon me—how do I know that you have any authority to receipt for this account?"
"Then I think you will appreciate my painstaking care to make everything regular and satisfactory," laughed Jack, very quietly. "Here is a paper, signed by Mr. Farnum, authorizing me to receipt this account in his name. You may keep this authorization along with the receipt. Mr. Forrester, it is growing late, and we are obliged to be at business early in the morning. You will oblige us by letting us have your check, won't you?"
Benson spoke as though he had not a doubt of immediate settlement. Yet his tone and his manner were such as not to give the least offense to the man who was being "dunned."
"Why, this—er—is rather a late time in the day to collect bills," hinted Mr. Forrester, in an uncertain voice.
"Had the matter not been just a little pressing we wouldn't have ventured over as late," Benson replied, softly. "However, you understand what I would say, don't you, Mr. Forrester?"
There was something about the young speaker's manner, his tone, the look in his eyes, that proclaimed him to be anything but a "quitter." Mr. Forrester began to feel that, if he succeeded in evading payment this evening, he would only have to see these young men frequently.