“This creature is insatiable!” murmured he to himself. “I shall have to turn her off and enter into less expensive connections. I am talking with myself to-day—queer, very queer!”
A heavy knock was heard at the door.
“Come in!”
A man and woman scantily clad entered the room. The sight of the wretched couple brought a fierce passion into the usurer’s countenance. He seemed suddenly transformed into a tiger, bloodthirstily crouching to seize his prey.
“What is the matter, Holt?”
“Mr. Shund,” began the man in a dejected tone, “the officer of the law has served the writ upon us: it is to take effect in ten days.”
“That is, unless you make payment,” interrupted Shund.
“We are not able to pay just now, Mr. Shund, it is impossible. I wished therefore to entreat you very earnestly to have patience with us poor people.”
The woman seconded her husband’s petition by weeping bitterly, wringing her hands piteously. The usurer shook his head relentlessly.