human
Good-morning, Master Fink,
gpt
Good-morning,
human
You know what to-day is?
gpt
Yes, I replied,
human
Right; it is Wednesday; and the date, Master Fink, the date is that on which you are to repay me my three thousand florins.
gpt
Ah, I cried,
human
That is not my affair. This is my lawyer, Master Fink!
gpt
You will renew the bond, will you not? You will let the money remain with me for another two years, at the same rate of interest?
human
What! he cried;
gpt
No, I said, in a rueful tone,
human
I am not mad, but you see the state I am in. Unfortunate--unfortunate that I am!
gpt
That is always the way, he said, appealing to his lawyer--
human
Then to me,
gpt
Is not my demand just?
human
Quite just; but you will continue to be my friend--you will not ruin me!
gpt
Master Fink, he said,
human
It is true, I groaned,
gpt
I lent you my money, he continued,
human
There was something absolutely diabolical in his voice as he uttered these words.
gpt
And even then, when I gave you the money, to my own loss--for how much more profitably it could have been employed!--you threw into my teeth the taunt that the devil is never so black as he is painted. (I groaned again.)
human
If you have been improvident that is your affair. If you have squandered my money and lost it recklessly, you will be spoken of as a knave, and you will forfeit the honorable name you have been so proud of. (I gave two long distinct groans.)
gpt
I have come now for my money, and if you are not prepared to pay me three thousand honest florins, I will strip your house and your shop of every article they contain.
human
No, no, Pretzel, I moaned,
gpt
I do mean it! You shall not have a bed to lie upon, nor a spoon to eat with. You will be a beggar, a rogue, a cheat! Ask this lawyer whether I am standing on my rights.
human
By the bond you have signed, he said,
gpt
And I will do it! screamed Pretzel, working himself up into a state of frantic exultation;
human
I will do it! I can see that you have not got the money--that you are not prepared to pay it--that you have squandered it like a thief! You shall suffer for calling me a villainous old usurer; you shall suffer for saying that I am not so black as I am painted! Do you see those vans at the door? They are mine--they are mine--and I'll strip the place to the bare walls, you honest, honorable man!