Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/6 - Generous Gifts

Modern Puzzles by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $6$

Generous Gifts

A generous man set aside a certain sum of money for equal distribution weekly to the needy of his acquaintance.

One day he remarked:

"If there are five fewer applicants next week, you will each receive $2$ shillings more."

Unfortunately, instead of there being fewer there were actually four more persons applying for the gift.

"This means," he pointed out, "that you will each receive one shilling less."

Now, how much did each person receive at that last distribution?

Sources

• 1926: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Modern Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $6$. -- Generous Gifts
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $4$. Generous Gifts