"It is a problem, my boy. Think it over very seriously before you
come to a decision, one way or the other. In the meantime, we can
establish beyond a doubt the accuracy of this inventory."

"By all means, go ahead, and please urge Mr. Jones not to be too
hard on me. I believe I'll risk it if the restrictions are not too
severe. But if Jones has puritanical instincts, I might as well
give up hope and be satisfied with what I have."

"Mr. Jones is very far from what you'd call puritanical, but he is
intensely practical and clear-headed. He will undoubtedly require
you to keep an expense account and to show some sort of receipt
for every dollar you disburse."

"Good Lord! Itemize?"

"In a general way, I presume."

"I'll have to employ an army of spendthrifts to devise ways and
means for profligacy."

"You forget the item which restrains you from taking anybody into
your confidence concerning this matter. Think it over. It may not
be so difficult after a night's sleep."

"If it isn't too difficult to get the night's sleep."

All the rest of the day Brewster wandered about as one in a dream.
He was pre-occupied and puzzled, and more than one of his old
associates, receiving a distant nod in passing, resentfully