I had about as lief test the matter in a court of justice as not." The man again made a feint to retire, but again returned.
"Say three months, then." "It is useless to chaffer with me, sir." Wilkinson spoke sternly.

"I have said what I will do, and I will do nothing else.

Even that offer I shall withdraw if not accepted now." The man seemed thrown quite aback by the prompt and decisive manner of Wilkinson, and, after some hesitation and grumbling, finally consented to yield up the balance of the due-bills for a note payable in six months.
"Saved as by fire!" Such was the mental ejaculation of Wilkinson, as the collector left the store.

"I stagger already under the extra weight of fifteen hundred dollars.

Five hundred added now would come nigh to crushing me.