Part 7 (2/2)
”How much is your salary, if you don't mind telling us?”
Galusha did not in the least mind. The figure he named seemed a small one to his banking relative, used to big sums.
”Humph!” grunted the latter; ”well, that isn't so tremendous. They don't overpay you mummy-dusters, do they? And you really don't want me to send you any more?”
”No, not if you're sure you don't mind.”
”Oh, I don't mind. Then you want me to keep it and reinvest it for you; is that it?”
”I--I think so. Yes, reinvest it or--ah--something.”
”But you may need some of it occasionally. If you do you will notify me, of course.”
”Oh, yes; yes, indeed. Thank you very much. It's quite a weight off my mind, really it is.”
Cabot could not help laughing. Then a thought struck him.
”Did you bring back the check I sent you?” he asked. Galusha looked somewhat confused.
”Why, why, no, I didn't,” he admitted. ”I had intended to, but you see--Dear me, dear me, I hope you will feel that I did right. You see, our paleontological department had been hoping to fit out an expedition to the Wyoming fossil fields, but it was lamentably short of funds, appropriations--ah--and so on. Hambridge and I were talking of the matter. A very adequate man indeed, Hambridge. Possibly you've read some of his writings. He wrote Lesser Reptilian Life in the Jura.s.sio. Are you acquainted with that?”
Cousin Gussie shook his head. ”Never have been introduced,” he observed, with a chuckle. Galusha noted the chuckle and smiled.
”I imagine not,” he observed. ”I fear it isn't what is called a--ah--best seller. Well--ah--Dear me, where was I? Oh, yes! Hambridge, poor fellow, was very much upset at the prospect of abandoning his expedition and I, knowing from experience what such a disappointment means, sympathized with him. Your check was at that moment lying on my desk. So--so--It was rather on the spur of the moment, I confess--I--”
The banker interrupted.
”Are you trying to tell me,” he demanded, ”that you handed that check over to that other--that other--”
He seemed rather at a loss for the word.
Galusha nodded.
”To finance Hambridge's expedition? Yes,” he said.
”ALL of it?”
”Yes--ah--yes.”
”Well, by George!”
”Perhaps it was impulsive on my part. But, you see, Hambridge DID need the money. And of course I didn't. The only thing that troubles me is the fact that, after all, it was money Aunt Clarissa left to me and I should prefer to do what she would have liked with it. I fear she might not have liked this.”
Cabot nodded, grimly. He had known Aunt Clarissa very, very well.
”You bet she wouldn't,” he declared.
”Yes. So don't send me any more, will you? Ah--not unless I ask for it.”
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