And brains is brains, when all's said!"
That night, as Lauriston sat writing in his shabby little room, a knock
came at his door--the door opened, and Melky slid in, laying his finger to
the side of his large nose in token of confidence.
"Hope I ain't interrupting," said Melky. "I say, mister, I been thinking
about that catalogue business. Now I come to sort of reflect on it, I
think my friend'll go to ten pound. So we'll say ten pound--what? And I'll
take you to see him next Friday. And I say, mister--if a pound or two on
account 'ud be of any service--say the word, d'ye see?"
With this friendly assurance, Melky plunged his hand into a hip-pocket,
and drew out some gold, which he held towards Lauriston on his open palm.
"Two or three pound on account, now, mister?" he said, ingratiatingly.
"You're welcome as the flowers in May!"
But Lauriston shook his head; he had already decided on a plan of his own,
if the expected remittance did not arrive next morning.
"No, thank you," he answered. "It's uncommonly good of you--but I can
manage very well indeed--I can, really! Next Friday, then--I'll go with
you.
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