With my hand on my heart do I submit that eight grivni per soul would be a handsome, a VERY handsome, offer." "What?
Eight grivni ?" "In my opinion, a higher offer would be impossible." "But I am not a seller of boots." "No; yet you, for your part, will agree that these souls are not live human beings ?" "I suppose you hope to find fools ready to sell you souls on the census list for a couple of groats apiece ?" "Pardon me, but why do you use the term 'on the census list'?
The souls themselves have long since passed away, and have left behind them only their names.

Not to trouble you with any further discussion of the subject, I can offer you a rouble and a half per head, but no more." "You should be ashamed even to mention such a sum! Since you deal in articles of this kind, quote me a genuine price." "I cannot, Michael Semenovitch.

Believe me, I cannot.

What a man cannot do, that he cannot do." The speaker ended by advancing another half-rouble per head.
"But why hang back with your money ?" said Sobakevitch.

"Of a truth I am not asking much of you.