Tourmalin's Time Cheques

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Tourmalin's Time Cheques (1891)
by F. Anstey

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New York: D. Appleton and company, 1891.

From the fact of the navigator's gaining time in sailing with the sun around the globe, and the aphorism "Time is money," the author of 'Vice Versâ' evolves an Anglo-Australian Joint Stock Time Bank, Limited, for the deposit of one's spare time at compound interest, drawable in sums not smaller than fifteen minutes, and cashed on presentation by any clock in motion. He applies this conceit to Peter Tourmalin on the voyage in the Boomerang from Sydney to Plymouth, England, with results as ludicrous as they are incalculable ... (Extract from the review in The Nation, July 23, 1891 full review on the discussion page.)

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TOURMALIN'S

TIME CHEQUES

BY

F. ANSTEY

AUTHOR OF VICE VERSÂ, THE TINTED VENUS,
THE BLACK POODLE, ETC.

NEW YORK
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
1891

Authorized edition.

CONTENTS.

PROLOGUE.

PAGE

On Deck—Curry and Culture—Alternative Distractions—A Period of Probation—The Oath and the Talisman—Wavering—A Chronological Error—The Time Bargain—Tourmalin Opens an Account 7

CHAPTER I.

TOURMALIN'S FIRST CHEQUE AND HOW HE TOOK IT.

Fidelity Rewarded—Love's Catechism—Brain-fag: a Timely Recollection—The Experiment, and some Startling Results—Question Time—"Dear Friends"—A Compromise 29

CHAPTER II.

THE SECOND CHEQUE.

Furnishing—A Cosy Corner—"Sitting Out"—Fresh Discoveries—Twice a Hero—Bewilderment and Bathos 48

CHAPTER III.

THE THIRD CHEQUE.

Good Resolutions—Casuistry—A Farewell Visit—Small Proﬁt and a Quick Return 63

CHAPTER IV.

THE FOURTH CHEQUE.

A Blue Moon—Felicity in a Flat— Practical Astronomy—Temptation and a Relapse—The Difficulties Of being Completely Candid—A Slight Misunderstanding—The Avenging Orange 78

CHAPTER V.

PERIODIC DRAWINGS.

A Series Of Cheques—Their Advantages and Drawbacks—An Unknown Factor—Uncompleted Conﬁdences—Ibsen, with Intervals—A Disappointment—A "Search Question" from Sophia—Conﬁdence Restored 93

CHAPTER VI.

FOIL AND COUNTERFOIL.

The Duties Of Authorship—Peter’s Continued Perversity and its Unforeseen Results—"Alfred"—The Tragic Note—An Interrupted Crisis—A Domestic Surprise 114

CHAPTER VII.

THE CULMINATING CHEQUE.

Sophia. Gives an Explanation, and Requests One—Her Verdict—Peter Overruled 130

CHAPTER VIII.

PAID IN HIS OWN COIN.

In Suspense—A Gleam Of Comfort—Darkness Returns—The Rock Ahead—Sir William Lends his Binocular—Reappearance of an Old Enemy—A New Danger—Out of the Frying-pan 146

CHAPTER IX.

COMPOUND INTEREST.

Back to the Fire Again—A Magnanimous Return—Catching at Straws—TWO Total Strangers—Purely a Question Of Precedence—"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded"—The Last Chance 163

CHAPTER X.

Dénouement 185

THE EPILOGUE 190

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.

The longest-living author of this work died in 1934, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 89 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

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