"I am not exactly of your opinion; but let me see--now take your choice. Take off 20 pounds, or you lose my patronage, and that of all my friends. Yes or no?" The landlord, with some expostulation, at last consented, he receipted the bill, and leaving 20 pounds of the money on the salver, made his bow, and retired. "Rather fortunate that I slipped in, my dear Newland; now there are 20 pounds saved. By-the-by, I'm short of cash. You've no objection to let me have this? I shall never pay you, you know." "I do know you _never_ will pay me, major; nevertheless, as I should have paid it to the landlord had you not interfered, I will lend it to you." "You are a good fellow, Newland," said the major, pocketing the money. "If I had borrowed it, and you had thought you would have had it repaid, I should not have thanked you; but as you lend it me with your eyes open, it is nothing more than a very delicate manner of obliging me, and I tell you candidly, that I will not forget it. So you really are off to-morrow?" "Yes," replied I, "I must go; for I find that I am not to make ducks and drakes of my money, until I come into possession of my property." "I see, my dear fellow. Executors are the very devil; they have no feeling. Never mind; there's a way of getting to windward of them. I dine with Harcourt, and he has come to ask you to join us." "With pleasure." "I shall expect you at seven, Newland," said Harcourt, as he quitted the room with the major. "Dear me, sir, how could you let that gentleman walk off with your money?" cried Timothy. "I was just rubbing my hands with the idea that we were 20 pounds better off than we thought, and away it went, like smoke." "And will never come back again, Tim; but never mind that, it is important that I make a friend of him, and his friendship is only to be bought. I shall have value received. And now, Tim, we must pack up, for I leave this to-morrow morning. I shall go down to--, and see little Fleta." I dined with Harcourt. The major was rather curious to know what it was which appeared to flurry Lord Windermear, and what had passed between us. I told him that his lordship was displeased on money matters, but that all was right, only that I must be more careful for the future. "Indeed, major, I think I shall take lodgings. I shall be more comfortable, and better able to receive my friends." Harcourt agreed with me, that it was a much better plan, when the major observed, "Why, Newland, I have a room quite at your service; suppose you come and live with me?" "I am afraid I shall not save by that," replied I, laughing, "for you will not pay your share of the bills." "No, upon my honour I will not; so I give you fair warning; but as I always dine with you when I do not dine elsewhere, it will be a saving to you--for you will _save your lodgings_, Newland; and you know the house is my own, and I let off the rest of it; so as far as that bill is concerned, you will be safe."