Ian Hay

“ Cradock, when I draw my cheque for the hundred pounds, to write her name on the back of it; and I venture to think that such an endorsement will make that cheque as good as a Bank of England note.’ He turned with an eloquent gesture to his hostess. ‘Mrs. Cradock, will you do that?’
Mildred, helpless but composed, bowed her head, amid more hand-clapping.
‘Thank you!’ cried Cradock enthusiastically. ‘I knew you would! Now I think we might disperse. I know one or two gentlemen who have to go and collect Regatta Prizes. ”

“ I am going to ask Miss Meakin to hand all these cheques and postal orders to me, as a free gift, to be my very own, to be sent to my bank and placed to my private account.’ (Mild sensation.) ‘In return, I shall write a cheque for one hundred pounds, and shall present it to myself, as Treasurer, for the use of the Society. ”

“ Moon,’ he said smoothly, with an almost imperceptible glance towards Mrs. Moon. An iron hand promptly drew Mr. Moon down into his seat, and the formal business of the meeting was resumed.
‘The sums actually handed in to date,’ announced Cradock, consulting a paper of figures handed to him by Laura Meakin, ‘amount to eighty-seven pounds, eleven shillings, and fourpence. A very encouraging total! But’—his voice rose firmly above a gentle murmur of gratification—‘it has one feature to which I object. It is not a round sum. Now, I have a little suggestion to make. ”