The banker was in his private office, busy with his papers. Lyman heard him say to the negro who took in his name: "Mr. Lyman! I don't know why he should want to see me. But tell him to come in." As Lyman entered the banker looked up and said: "Well, sir." Lyman sat down and crossed his legs. The banker looked at his feet, then at his head. "Mr. McElwin," said Lyman, "we have not met before, though I, of course, have seen you often, but----" "Well, sir, go on." "Yes, that's what I am doing. I say that we have not met, but I board at the house of a relative of yours, and I therefore feel that I know you." "Board with a relative of mine?" the banker gasped. "Yes, with Jasper Staggs, and I want to tell you that he is about as kind hearted an old fellow as I ever met, quaint and accommodating. He is a cousin of yours, I believe." "Well,--er, yes. But state your business, if you please. I am very busy." "I presume so, sir, but I am afraid that my business may not strike you in a very favorable way. I want to borrow one hundred dollars." "Upon what collateral, sir?" "Mainly upon the collateral of honor." The banker looked at him. Lyman continued: "I feel that such a statement in a bank sounds like the echo of an idle laugh, but I mention honor first, because I value it most. I also have, or represent, a law library." "Is it worth a hundred dollars?" "Well, I can't say that it is, but I should think that the library, reinforced by my honor, is worth that much." The banker began to stroke his brown beard. "So you have come here to joke, sir----" "Oh, not at all," Lyman broke in, "this is a serious matter." "It might be if I were to let you have the money." "That isn't so bad," Lyman laughed. "But seriously, I am in much need of a hundred dollars, and if you'll let me have it for six months I will pay it back with interest." "I can't do it, sir." "You mean that you won't do it." "You heard me, sir." "I realize the bad form in which I present my case, Mr. McElwin, and I know that if you had made a practice of doing business in this way you would not have been nearly so successful, but I will pledge you my word that if you will let me have the money----" "Good day, sir, good day."