I'm much obliged for the loan of it." If some one had informed him he was to start in five minutes for the North Pole, he could not have looked more amazed or taken aback.
Nothing, evidently, had been farther from his thoughts than that I should be able to repay the loan, and to have it here returned into his hands before I had been his debtor a week fairly astonished him.
His face darkened suddenly into an expression very unusual with him, as he looked first at the money, then at me.
However, I gave him no time to say anything, but hurried off to my desk, feeling--for the first time since my return to Hawk Street--that there was not a man at the office I dared not look in the face.
As I expected, he sidled up to me at the first opportunity.
"Batchelor," said he, "you must really take the money back.

I am sure you must want it.

I should be quite uncomfortable to feel I was depriving you of it." And so saying, he actually laid the two coins down on my desk.
"Thank you," I began; "but if--" "Please don't talk so loud," said he; "I would rather everybody didn't hear." "Then," said I, "kindly take the money off my desk.

It's yours." "But, really, Batchelor, I don't feel comfortable--" "I do," I interrupted.
"I am sure you are not in a position to afford it," said he.

"Excuse my asking, but--" "I suppose you'd like to know where I got it from," said I, irritated at his persistency.