“You can have it back again. I know the contents. And now, my dear nephew, there is but one small duty to perform—I allude to the Hotel Bill. My brother has found the passage-money—Christopher was always a selfish beast, but his language at parting with that money was inexcusable. He refuses the Hotel Bill.”
“And so you come to me. Why should I pay your Hotel Bill?”
“There is no reason that I know of except the fact that I have referred the Hotel Clerk to you as a Member of Parliament and a gentleman.”
“You come home boasting of your wealth, being next door to penniless.”
“You forget—the Accumulations——”
“And you end with the confession that you were lying.”
“You mean putting the best foot forward—presenting myself in the enviable light of the successful uncle—the modern Nabob.”
“And you levy money on your people?”
“I borrow on my reversionary interests—in the Accumulations.”
“I will pay your bill on the understanding that you take yourself off. How much is it?”