“That you pay me in cash, in money and not by check, at once.”
“At once? Now, do you mean?”
“Yes, now. To-night if possible; if not, no later than nine o'clock to-morrow morning.”
“Humph! Do you think I carry thirty-five hundred loose in my change pocket?”
“I don't know. But that is the second condition.”
“Humph! . . . Look here, Paine; what—? I offered you the five thousand. That offer holds good.”
“I don't accept it. I will sell for thirty-five hundred; no more and no less.”
“But why not more?”
“I don't know. Yes, I do, too. You said once that you were willing to pay forty-five hundred for the privilege of having your own way. Perhaps I am willing to sacrifice fifteen hundred for the privilege of having mine. At all events I mean what I say.”
“But why just thirty-five? Wouldn't you take thirty-six?”