Mr. Lin lingered. He thought the tubercular manager was putting on an act in preparation for demanding higher interest. Just as Mr. Lin was about to play along by renewing his pleas, he was surprised to hear the manager press him a step farther.

• 林先生呆了一呆，还总以为这痨病鬼经理故意刁难，无非是为提高利息作地步，正想结结实实说几句恳求的话，却不料那经理又逼进一步道：