Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/266

 "A friend, if you are good enough to put it in that light. I think I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. You said a while ago I looked like a banker; said it twice, in fact, so you may not be surprised to hear that I have lately promoted a financial company which is called the Surrey and Southern Counties Bank, Ltd."

"Isn't that title rather tautological, Peter? Surely Surrey is itself a southern county?" "Surrey does not touch the sea at any point. I call the counties southern that border the Channel, such as Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and so on."

"All right, my dear banker, you always could upset me on points of geography. I suppose that's because you've travelled so much. Now, one more nasty objection. Aren't there banks enough in England?"

"There are banks enough, of a kind. They are hide-bound institutions, steeped in tradition, and bound by red tape. For example, when formerly I was in a difficulty, from which you kindly extricated me, I offered Selwyn's Bank ample security to cover the amount I wished to borrow. They refused to advance me a penny. The Surrey and Southern Counties Bank will deal more generously with its patrons."