"I don't like to deal in debts, to tell you the truth. But so many other people like it- the simplicity of thinking that way, I suppose - so I have to understand the rules. I'm more the sort to trade in favors, if I have my own way."

He turns the folded letter over in his fingers, studying this Jim a minute before he adds, "Although in this case, someone's reminding me of a debt I can't really deny owing them. They just haven't settled on the price yet."