Part 23 (2/2)
”Yes, the Larch tree hacienda, about four leagues off, so that, you understand, if I go, I must give up my all.”
”Ah, ah,” Tranquil said thoughtfully, ”very good, go on. Why not sell it?”
”Where are the buyers? Do you fancy it so easy to find about here a man with four or five hundred piastres in his pocket; and, moreover, ready to commit an act of folly?”
”Well, I can't say, but I fancy by seeking he could be found.”
”Nonsense, gossip, you are jesting!”
”On my word I am not,” Tranquil said, suddenly changing his tone, ”and I will prove it to you.”
”Good.”
”You say you will sell your house for four hundred piastres?”
”Did I say four hundred?”
”Don't finesse, you did.”
”Very good, then; I admit it: what next?”
”Well, I will buy it, if you like.”
”You?”
”Why not?”
”I will think about it.”
”That is done; say yes or no, take it, or leave it; perhaps I may have altered my mind in five minutes, so decide.”
The landlord gave the Canadian a searching glance. ”I accept,” he said.
”Good: but I will not give you four hundred piastres.”
”How much?” the other said, crying off.
”I will give you six hundred.”
The landlord looked at him in amazement.
”I am quite agreeable,” he said.
”But on one condition.”
”What is it?”
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