“How goes it?” said Mr. Carter, forcing a smile and shaking hands.
“He's grown better-looking than ever,” said the gentleman, subsiding into a chair.
“So have you,” said Mr. Carter. “I should hardly have known you.”
“Well, I' m glad to see you again,” said the other in a more subdued fashion. “We're all glad to see you back, and I 'ope that when the wedding cake is sent out there'll be a bit for old Ben Prout.”
“You'll be the first, Ben,” said Mr. Carter, quickly.
Mr. Prout got up and shook hands with him again. “It only shows what mistakes a man can make,” he said, resuming his seat. “It only shows how easy it is to misjudge one's fellow-creeturs. When you went away sudden four years ago, I says to myself, 'Ben Prout,' I says, 'make up your mind to it, that two quid has gorn.'”
The smile vanished from Mr. Carter's face, and a sudden chill descended upon the company.
“Two quid?” he said, stiffly. “What two quid?”
“The two quid I lent you,” said Mr. Prout, in a pained voice.