“What do you want exactly?” he asked pantingly. “What is that supposed to imply? What do you want from me—?”
It appeared at first as though Slim had not heard the question. Sleepily, with closed eye-lids, he sat there, breathing inaudibly. But, as the leather of the chairback squeaked under Josaphat’s grasp, Slim said, very slowly, but very clearly:
“I want you to tell me for what sum you will give up this flat, Josaphat.”
“... When?...”
“Immediately.”
“... What is that supposed to mean.... Immediately?...”
Slim opened his eyes, and they were as cold and bright as a pebble in a brook.
“Immediately means within an hour.... Immediately means long before this evening....”
A shiver ran down Josaphat’s back. The hands on his hanging arms slowly clenched themselves into fists.
“Get out, sir ...” he said quietly. “Get out of here—! Now—! At once—! Immediately—!”