"Well, well, madam," resumed the latter, a trifle disconcerted, "it
makes very little difference whether you have heard of it or not. I
see, however, that you are a woman of excellent common sense, and I
will therefore be as brief as possible--avoid circumlocutions, so to
speak."

"Yes, exactly," said Mother Uberta, nodding impatiently, as if eager
to help him on.

"Madame Uberta,--for that, as I understand, is your honored
name,--would you like to get one thousand florins?"

"That depends upon how I should get 'em," answered the old woman
sharply. "I shouldn't like to get 'em by stealin'."

"I mean, of course, if you had honestly earned them," said Hahn.

"I am afeard honesty with you and with me ain't exactly the same
thing."

Mr. Hahn was about to swear, but mindful of his cherished enterprise,
he wisely refrained.

"I beg leave to inform you, Madame Uberta," he observed, "that it is
gentlemen of honor you have to deal with, and that whatever proposals
they may make you will be of an honorable character."

"And I am very glad to hear that, I am sure," responded the undaunted
Uberta.