"What are you doing?" Valentine said.
"I am calculating."
"What is the good? Tell me the totals only—that will be quicker."
"You are right: 17,533 piastres, 6 reals."
"Good!" Valentine commenced writing the amount in pencil on a piece of waste paper. "Next."
"Twenty-one thousand two hundred and seven piastres, five reals."
"Very good: go on."
"Twelve thousand eight hundred and twenty-three piastres."
"No reals?"
"No."