The barman broke the silence. “Could you take the price of the barrel then, sirs? If not the barrel itself.” The Justice paused, as if thinking. “For the sake of the children,” the bald man pleaded. “I know you will use the money for them.” The Justice pursed his lips. “Very well,” he said after a moment, “for the sake of the children.” The shorter priest’s voice had an unpleasant edge. “The children.”
