"Take it if you like, if not I'll go elsewhere, I am in a hurry." He had not even thought of saying this, but it was suddenly said of itself.

The old woman recovered herself, and her visitor's resolute tone evidently restored her confidence.
"But why, my good sir, all of a minute....

What is it ?" she asked, looking at the pledge.
"The silver cigarette case; I spoke of it last time, you know." She held out her hand.
"But how pale you are, to be sure...

and your hands are trembling too?
Have you been bathing, or what ?" "Fever," he answered abruptly.

"You can't help getting pale...