By the most modest calculation I couldn't possibly do the thing decently under a shilling a head.

It was true I had my uncle's half-sovereign in my pocket still.
I might, I reflected, borrow that, and pay it back by weekly instalments.

But somehow I didn't like the idea quite, and never brought myself to the point of carrying it into effect.

Now, however, with the sudden rise in my fortunes recorded in the last chapter, the financial obstacle to my hospitality was quite swept away.

I had only to take the extra four shillings a week for two weeks--and the thing was done! So the idea no longer simmered in my mind--it boiled; and I was determined for once in a way to astonish my friends.
But though one obstacle had vanished, the other remained.