"
"I know that."
"And the market is very bad, Don Orsino, and shows no signs of
improvement."
"On the other hand the houses are finished, habitable, and can be let
immediately."
"They are certainly finished. You must be aware that the bank has
continued to advance the sums necessary for two reasons. Firstly,
because an expensive but habitable dwelling is better than a cheap one
with no roof. Secondly, because in doing business with Andrea Contini
and Company we have been dealing with the only really honest and
economical firm in Rome."
Orsino smiled vaguely, but said nothing. He had not much faith in Del
Ferice's flattery.
"But that," continued the latter, "does not dispense us from the
necessity of realising what is owing to us--I mean the bank--either in
money, or in an equivalent--or in an equivalent," he repeated,
thoughtfully rolling a big silver pencil case backward and forward upon
the table under his fat white hand.
"Evidently," assented Orsino. "Unfortunately, at the present time, there
seems to be no equivalent for ready money.
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