my gal, if she can't use
it?"

"She can draw it as it falls due."

"But suppose that don't suit? Suppose my dar'ter wants it at once, what
then?"

The manager rubbed his chin: that was his only reply.

"These bits o' paper are supposed to be as good as gold," continued the
Pilot, rustling the receipts as they lay upon the table, "ain't they?"

"Better," said the manager, "in some ways much better."

"Indeed," retorted the Pilot. "Then what's the good o' them, if nothing
can be done with 'em?"

"For the matter o' that, Summerhayes," said Sartoris, "if this gen'leman
don't quite like to trust himself in the matter, there's plenty outside
will take them there bits o' paper as security, and be glad to get 'em.
I've seen the thing done, Summerhayes, though I can't say I've done it
myself, never having had enough money to deposit in a bank."

"Ah--well," said the banker, "of course it _can_ be managed, but you
would lose the interest."

"The interests be--be--the interest be hanged!" exclaimed the Pilot.

"But the young lady must act under no compulsion, sir." Mr. Tomkinson
spoke with a dignity worthy of the great institution which he
represented. "She must do it of her own free will."

"Ask her," said the Pilot.

The manager looked at Rose, who said, "I want to draw seven thousand
pounds of this money," but she felt as though she was speaking in a
dream, so unreal did the situation seem to her.

"The best way for your daughter to act," said the manager, turning to
the Pilot, "will be for her to sign seven thousand pounds' worth of
these receipts over to the bank, and to open in her own name an account,
on which she can draw to the amount specified."

"Very good," said the Pilot, "that would suit; but why couldn't you say
so at first, instead o' boxing the compass?"

The business was soon concluded, and Rose, for the first time in her
life, drew a cheque, which was for nothing less than L7000.

"This is a large sum," said the manager, "a large sum to take in a
lump."

"Isn't it her own money she's taking?" said the Pilot. "I'm her father,
and I don't see anything wrong about it."

"But there her credit ceases," said the manager.

"Let it cease," said the Pilot.

The cheque was cashed at the counter, and Rose walked out of the bank
with a mighty sheaf of notes in her hand.

For safety's sake, the Pilot relieved her of some of her wealth, and
Captain Sartoris relieved her of the rest, and thus the th