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"Well, well, well! But you know, if you haven't ever served in
that capacity, you, of course, can't provide any recomendations, and
so —"
"Try me — oh, do, I beg of you! Only just try me thirty or forty
years, and if —"
"Oh, well, all right; it's a little thing to ask. Take her along."
Happy, we two? There are not words enough in the dictionary
to describe it. And when London got the whole history, a day or two
later, of my month's adventures with that bank-note, and how they
ended, did London talk, and have a good time? Yes, it did!
My Portia's papa took that friendly and hospitable bill back to
the Bank of England and cashed it; then the Bank canceled it and
made him a present of it, and he gave it to us at our wedding, and it
has always hung in a frame in our home, ever since. For it gave me
my Portia. But for the bill I could not have remained in London,
would not have appeared at the ambassador's, never should have met
her. And so I always say, "Yes, it's a million-pounder, as you see; but
it never made but one purchase in its life, and then got the article for
only about a tenth part of its value".

***

Assignments

1. Skimming: Skim the reading to gain a general idea of its form, length,
and content. Give the gist of the story.

2. Scanning:
2.1. Put the following events in the chronological order.
1. The American ambassador invited Henry to his dinner party.
2. Henry deposited a million dollars on his account.
3. The brothers made a bet on Henry Adams.
4. Henry decided to save Hastings’ business.
5. Abel lost twenty thousand pounds.
6. Henry stepped ashore in London with a dollar in his pocket.
7. Henry made everybody talk about the stocks
8. The Bank of England issued two notes of a million pound each.
9. Henry fell in love with Portia.
10. The brothers agreed that Henry answered all their requirements.
11. The Bank cancelled the bill and made a present of it.