Madame Haupt set the frying pan to one side and wiped her hands on her wrapper. “You vant me to come for a case?” she inquired.

“Yes,” gasped Jurgis.

“I haf yust come back from a case,” she said. “I haf had no time to eat my dinner. Still⁠—if it is so bad⁠—”

“Yes⁠—it is!” cried he.

“Vell, den, perhaps⁠—vot you pay?”

“I⁠—I⁠—how much do you want?” Jurgis stammered.

“Tventy-five dollars.”

His face fell. “I can’t pay that,” he said.

The woman was watching him narrowly. “How much do you pay?” she demanded.

“Must I pay now⁠—right away?”