I felt that this could result in nothing discreditable to us.

No one interested in our business had lived extravagantly.

Our manner of life had been the very reverse of this.

No money had been withdrawn from the business to build costly homes, and, above all, not one of us had made speculative ventures upon the stock exchange, or invested in any other enterprises than those connected with the main business.

Neither had we exchanged endorsements with others.