Yes, I think you're right about Maurice perhaps going overboard. But at least if it was something like the pen set, I think even if it were expensive and a bit showy, it would a USEFUL item to have, and I think Alec would approve, and be quite proud to have been given it.

Totally agree that a cheque would have been a disaster! That would have been a serious faux pas on Maurice's part, coming after the refusal of the tip, and all that represented.