However，theoldladystillcommunedwithherself。Shecouldseethatthetransactionwouldbetoheradvantage，yetitwasoneofsuchanovelandunprecedentednaturethatshewasbeginningtofearlestthispurchaserofsoulsintendedtocheather。CertainlyhehadcomefromGodonlyknewwhere，andatthedeadofnight，too！
“But，sir，Ihaveneverinmylifesolddeadfolk——onlylivingones。
ThreeyearsagoItransferredtwowenchestoProtopopovforahundredroublesapiece，andhethankedmekindly，fortheyturnedoutsplendidworkers——abletomakenapkinsoranythingelse。
“Yes，butwiththelivingwehavenothingtodo，damnit！IamaskingyouonlyaboutDEADfolk。“
“Yes，yes，ofcourse。ButatfirstsightIfeltafraidlestIshouldbeincurringaloss——lestyoushouldbewishingtooutwitme，goodsir。Yousee，thedeadsoulsareworthrathermorethanyouhaveofferedforthem。“