138 THE KING OF SCHXORRERS.
" A hundred pounds ! "
"A hundred pounds!" echoed the President, seriously concerned at this blot upon his year of office. " And who is the debtor?"
" I am."
" You ! You have borrowed a hundred pounds, you — you jackanapes ! "
"Silence, sir! How dare you? I should leave this apartment at once, were it not that I cannot go without your apology. Never in my life have I borrowed a hundred pounds — nay, never have I borrowed one farthing. I am no borrower. If you are a gentleman, you will apologise ! "
" I am sorry if I misunderstood," murmured the poor President, " but how, then, do you owe the money? "
"How, then?" repeated Manasseh impatiently. "Can- not you understand that I have donated it to the Syna- gogue? "
The President stared at him open-mouthed.
" I vowed it yesterday in celebration of my daughter's marriage."
The President let a sigh of relief pass through his open mouth. He was even amused a little.
"Oh, is that all? It was like your deuced effrontery; but still, the Synagogue doesn't lose anything. There's no harm done."
" What is that you say?" enquired Manasseh sternly. " Do you mean to say I am not to pay this money? "
" How can you? "
" How can I ? I come to you and others like you to pay it for me."
" Nonsense ! Nonsense ! " said the President, begin- ning to lose his temper again. " We'll let it pass. There's no harm done."
