The million pound banknote

'Do me a favour and put on this shirt and this suit. It's just right, exactly right. It is plain, rich and modest. It was made to order for a foreign prince - you may know him, Sir, His Serene Highness the Hospodar of Halifax. He had to leave it with us and take a mourning-suit instead. His mother was going to die - but she didn't. That's all right; we can't always have things the way we - that is, the way they - there! The trousers are all right, they fit you perfectly, Sir. Now the waistcoat; aha, right again! And the coat; look at that, now! Perfect - the whole thing! I never saw such a triumph in all my experience.'

I expressed my satisfaction.

'Quite right, sir, quite right; it is all right for a makeshift, I have to say. But wait till you see what we'll make for you with your own measurements. Come, Tod, take book and pen; get busy. Length of leg, 32 inches'. And so on. Before I could say a word he had measured me, and was giving orders for me to get dress-suits, morning suits, shirts, and all sorts of things.

When I got a chance I said: 'But, my dear Sir, I can't order these things, unless you can wait indefinitely, or give me change for the banknote.'

'Indefinitely! It's a weak word, Sir, a weak word. Eternally - that's the word, Sir. I can wait for ever. Tod, rush these things through, and send them to the gentleman's address without any waste of time. Let the less important customers wait.'

Vocabulary:

Plain: Here it means 'without unneccessary decoration'
Modest: Not showing off
Made to order: Made for a particular customer
Mourn: To show extreme sorrow
Makeshift: Something temporary made from what is available
Dress-suit: A suit for formal occasions
Morning suit: A suit worn by a gentleman in the morning (today mainly at weddings)
Indefinitely: Without setting a precise time
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