"I don't rightly know, sir, never was good at figures, not having much
book learning, but it's twenty-three something."
"?23? No, it would have brought more than that. By Jingo! it must be
?230. That's pretty stiff, but still, it may be worth it."
At this moment Mr. Primrose, who, leaning over his desk, was engaged
in animated conversation with an excited knot of orchid fanciers,
looked up:
"Oh! there you are, Mr. Somers," he said. "In the name of all this
company let me congratulate you on having become the owner of the
matchless 'Odontoglossum Pavo' for what, under all the circumstances,
I consider the quite moderate price of ?2,300."
Really that young man took it very well. He shivered slightly and
turned a little pale, that is all. Woodden rocked to and fro like a
tree about to fall. I and my tin box collapsed together in the corner.
Yes, I was so surprised that my legs seemed to give way under me.
People began to talk, but above the hum of the conversation I heard
young Somers say in a low voice:
"Woodden, you're a born fool.
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