I was mildly enjoying myself. Perhaps I'm a bit of a cynic. I
broke in.

"I don't think it's vanity to see that you get your money's worth.
There's lots of legitimate fun in spending twenty thousand pounds
properly. It's too big to let other people manage or mis-manage.
Suppose you decided on motor-ambulances or hospital trains, for
instance, it would be your duty to see that you got the best and
most up-to-date ambulances or trains, with the least possible
profits, to contractors and middle-men."

"As far as that goes, I think I know my way about," said Sir
Anthony.

"Of course. And as for publicity--or the reverse, hiding your
light under a bushel--any fool can remain anonymous."

Sir Anthony nodded at me, rubbed his hands, and turned to his
wife.

"That's just what I was saying, Edith."

"My dear, that is just what I was trying to make you understand."

Neither of the two dear things had said, or given the other to
understand, anything of the kind. But you see they had come in
their own quaint married way to an agreement and were now
receptive of commonsense.

"The motor ambulance is a sound idea," said Sir Anthony, rubbing