"I do not expect you to take what you gave for it," said Mr. Whimpole. "I am prepared to give you a profit; and," he added, jocosely, "you will not be backward in accepting it."
"Not at all backward. You speak like a man of sense."
"How much do you ask for your bargain? How much, Mr. Cohen? Don't open your mouth too wide."
"If you will permit me," said Aaron, and he proceeded to pencil down a calculation. "It is not an undesirable house, Mr. Whimpole."
"No, no; I don't say it is."
"It is compact and convenient."
"Fairly so, fairly so."
"I will accept," said Aaron, having finished his calculation, "five hundred pounds."
"You cannot be in earnest!" gasped Mr. Whimpole, his breath fairly taken away.
"I am quite in earnest. Are you aware what it is you would buy of me?"