The Red Rat's Daughter

If John Grantham Browne had a fault-which, mind you, I am not prepared to admit-it lay in the fact that he was the possessor of a cynical wit which he was apt at times to use upon his friends with somewhat peculiar effect. Circumstances alter cases, and many people would have argued that he was perfectly entitled to say what he pleased. When a man is worth a hundred and twenty thousand pounds a year-which, worked out, means ten thousand pounds a month, three hundred and twenty-eight pounds, fifteen shillings and fourpence a day, and four-and-sixpence three-farthings, and a fraction over, per minute-he may surely be excused if he becomes a little sceptical as to other people's motives, and is apt to be distrustful of the world in general.