"It's here," answered Christopher, tapping his breast. "In my pocket-book. Notes, big and little--so that we can settle up."
Christopher gave his aunt a sidelong glance.
"Hadn't we better reckon up my costs and commission first?" he suggested. "Here's an account of the costs--the commission, of course, was to be settled between you and me."
"We'll settle all that when you've handed the money over," said Miss Pett. "I haven't counted it yet."
There was a certain unwillingness in Christopher Pett's manner as he slowly produced a stout pocket-book and took from it a thick wad of bank-notes. He pushed this across to his aunt, with a tiny heap of silver and copper.
"Well, I'm trusting to you, you know," he said a little doubtfully. "Don't forget that I've done well for you."
Miss Pett made no answer. She had taken a pair of spectacles from her pocket, and with these perched on the bridge of her sharp nose she proceeded to count the notes, while her nephew alternately sipped at his toddy and stroked his chin, meanwhile eyeing his relative's proceedings with somewhat rueful looks.
"Three thousand, four hundred and seventeen pounds, five shillings and elevenpence," and Miss Pett calmly. "And them costs, now, and the expenses--how much do they come to, Chris?"
"Sixty-one, two, nine," answered Christopher, passing one of his papers across the table with alacrity. "You'll find it quite right--I did it as cheap as possible for you."
Miss Pett set her elbow on her heap of bank-notes while she examined the statement. That done, she looked over the tops of her spectacles at the expectant Christopher.
"Well, about that commission," she said. "Of course, you know, Chris, you oughtn't to charge me what you'd charge other folks. You ought to do it very reasonable indeed for me. What were you thinking of, now?"
"I got the top price," remarked Christopher reflectively. "I got you quite four hundred more than the market price. How would--how would five per cent. be, now?"
Miss Pett threw up the gay turban with a toss of surprise.
"Five per cent!" she ejaculated. "Christopher Pett!--whatever are you talking about? Why, that 'ud be a hundred and seventy pound! Eh, dear!--nothing of the sort--it 'ud be as good as robbery. I'm astonished at you."