But
even in this dread moment so bent was he on fulfilling his mission
that he at once cast an eye over the front of the house to fix it in
his memory. There was a magnificent display of flowers at every
window; the houses immediately right and left had no flowers at all.
Then he fumbled for money. Coppers, a sixpence, a shilling, no other
small change, and he durst not offer so little as eighteenpence.
(However, Heaven be thanked! the people had gone in and the brougham
was moving away.) In his purse he had half a sovereign.
"Got change?" he inquired as boldly as possible.
"How much?" returned the driver curtly, for he had noticed with
curiosity that his fare exchanged no greeting with the carriage
people and that the door was shut.
"Change for half a sovereign. Seven shillings would do."
"Ain't got it. See, fourpence in 'apence, that's all."
The man's eye began to alarm Christopher. He shook with indecision,
he gulped down his bitterness, he handed the golden coin.
"All right; never mind change."
"Thanky, sir.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184