The million pound banknote

I said, with some diffidence 'It would be an big help to me if you could wait some days for the money. I am not carrying any small change on me.'

The fellow's face developed an extremely sarcastic expression. He said 'Oh, you haven't? Well, of course, I didn't expect it. I'd only expect gentlemen like you to carry large change.'

I was nettled, and said 'My friend, you shouldn't always judge a stranger by the clothes he wears. I am quite able to pay for this suit; I simply didn't wish to put you to the trouble of changing a large note.'

He modified his behaviour a a bit when he heard that. But he still acted as though he was much better than I was. He said 'I didn't mean any particular harm. But if we are criticizing each other, I might say that you should not jump to the conclusion that we couldn't change any note that you might happen to be carrying around. On the contrary, we can.'

I handed the note to him, and said 'Oh, very well; I apologize.'

Vocabulary:

Diffidence: Being shy and polite
Small change: Normally this means coins
Sarcastic: Saying something you do not mean in order to be nasty
Nettled: Irritated
Modified: Here is means 'an annoying attitude'
Jump to the conclusion: Decide without knowing the facts
On the contrary: Completely the opposite
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