“The signor will only anger them, and that will be bad.”
“How much in the name of wonder do they want?”
Pasquale repeated the question.
“They want five thousand scudi more,” he reported.
“How much is a scudi?” asked the American, turning to Cunningham.
“A dollar.”
“And the rascals want five thousand dollars? Jumping Jehoshaphat, haven’t they got cheek! Why do they ask so much of three poor travelers?”
Pasquale repeated the question, and received an answer.
“They say you are not poor, that one of you is a great English milord, and that you are a rich American.”
“I’d like to know how they found out I am rich,” said Amos, disgusted. “Have they seen my tax bill?”