Part 21 (2/2)
”Very good of you, I'm sure. But I'll tell you another little story.
Consul Pram was a big man, with a big position, as you know, but a jovial soul, and easy to get on with. I've a liking for men of that sort. Well, it was in 1875, when things were at their worst all round, for s.h.i.+pping and trade and everything else we get our living by. I don't believe there was a business in the town that wasn't eternally worried about how things were to turn out.
”Then one day Pram came up to me. 'Puh,' said he, 'it's hot,' and sat down, puffing. It was midsummer and pretty warm.
”'You're right there,' said I, putting away my balance-sheet. I'd just tacked 200 on to the valuation of the premises to make it come out.
”'Times are pretty bad,' said he.
”'Not for a nabob like you, surely,' said I, feeling a bit anxious all the same. There was a matter of 150 between us. And I'd no idea where to rake up any funds beyond.
”'I'm not sure if I'll pull through myself,' said he.
”'Nonsense, Consul--with your credit----'
”'Still....'
”'Hermansen at the bank will let you have all you want. _You're_ safe enough.'
”'I've lost courage altogether now. It's hopeless to keep going any longer in this place.'
”'But Lord save us, man, _you_ mustn't go under. If you did, there'd be more than myself would have to go too.'
”'Well, you'll have to keep me out then, Holm, that's all.'
”Only fancy me backing a bill for a man like Pram when I was barely hanging on by my eyelids myself.
”Well, it was then the wonderful thing happened. Just in the middle of the day, after Pram had gone, came a letter enclosing 150--anonymous! I've never felt so glad in all my life, Vindt--it was like a message from Providence telling me to keep up my pluck--and Consul Pram as well!
”That afternoon I went round to his office, and backed a bill for 500. And next day Pram told me, laughingly, that he had got the bank to discount it, and Hermansen had said, 'Shouldn't have too much to do with that Holm if I were you, Pram. Not first-rate paper, really.
But of course I'd take anything with _your_ name on!'
”Some time after I backed another bill for Pram, and helped him in various little ways, for the man was almost out of his senses with worry; I'm sure he'd have gone smash if he'd been left to himself. I met his wife, too, about that time, with the boy. She is a woman of commanding presence, as you know, and handsome, to look at, anyway.
She gave me her hand most cordially, and said, 'My sincerest thanks, Mr. Holm, for all you have done for us. _I shall never, never forget it._'
”Six months after, the trouble was over, and young Pram was getting up a sledge party, inviting all the young people in the town. Marie's name was on the list. 'No, leave her out,' said his mother. 'He's quite a common person really, is that Holm.'
”And later, I understand, young Pram complained to the bank manager that his father had had dealings some time back with Knut G.
Holm--bill transactions, but in future he would not hear of anything of the sort.
”The bank manager had good sense enough to answer that there was hardly any danger now in having dealings with Knut G. Holm!
”Well, my dear Vindt, you can see for yourself that all this doesn't incline one to further obligations. There are one or two honourable exceptions, of course, but as a general rule, I must say, grat.i.tude is a delightful quality, but forgetfulness is far more commonly met with!
”Still, I've never said no to a friend. One must run the risk of losing both friend and money, and if by some miracle both can be kept, why, so much the better. Now, where's your bill?”
Holm took the doc.u.ment, scrutinised it closely, and said:
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