'And I am building a railway.'
The squire bit his lip, and quickly ran his eye over the letter. The noise of the dancers increased.
'You want to buy my estate?'
'Yes, and at once, sir.'
'But you see that I am giving a dance.'
'The colonists are waiting to come in, sir. If you cannot settle with me before midnight, I shall settle with your neighbour. He gains, and you lose.'
The squire was becoming feverish.
'My father-in-law recommends you highly…all the same,…on the spur of the moment….'
'You need only write a word or two.'
The squire dashed his red cap down on the table. 'Really, Pan
Hirschgold, this is unbearable!'