Patrick O'Brian Quote

Although his intimacy with Stephen Maturin did not allow him to ask questions that might be judged impertinent, it was of such a rare kind that he could ask for money without the least hesitation. Have you any money, Stephen? he said, the Marine having vanished in the trees. How I hope you have. I shall have to borrow the Marine's guinea from you, and a great deal more besides, if his message is what I dearly trust. My half-pay is not due until the month after next, and we are living on credit.Money, is it? said Stephen, who had been thinking about lemurs. There were lemurs in Madagascar: might there not be lemurs on Reunion? Lemurs concealed among the forests and the mountains of the interior? Money? Oh, yes, I have money galore. He felt in his pockets. The question is, where is it? He felt again, patted his bosom, and brought out a couple of greasy two pound notes on a country bank. That is not it, he muttered, going through his pockets again. Yet I was sure--was it in my other coat? did I perhaps leave it in London?--you are growing old, Maturin--ah, you dog, there you are! he cried triumphantly, returning to the first pocket and drawing forth a neat roll, tied with tape. There. I had confused it with my lancet-case. It was Mrs Broad of the Grapes that did it up, finding it in a Bank of England wrapper that I had--that I had neglected. A most ingenious way of carrying money, calculated to deceive the pick-pocket. I hope it will suffice.How much is it? asked Jack.Sixty or seventy pound, I dare say.But, Stephen, the top note is a fifty, and so is the next. I do not believe you ever counted them.Well, never mind, never mind, said Stephen testily. I meant a hundred and sixty. Indeed, I said as much, only you did not attend.