To few institutions do so many British gentlemen owe so much as they do to the overdraft. As peculiarly British as cricket, the overdraft is undefined but tradition-hallowed, its rules as precise and respected as though set in stone. The gentleman who finds himself short of funds simply writes a check on his account. The bank honors it (charging interest on the overdraft, providing the gentleman has been reasonable). If he hasn't, he is summoned to the bank managers' paneled chambers for a discreet chat, emerges knowing just how many pounds he...
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