How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"There comes a time when you've got to make exceptions, and a wise man just goes ahead and makes them. Well, sir, that's just the way it is in this case and I don't mind telling you that I think you're being paid very well for making an exception." (18.34)
Gutman is trying to pay off Spade here, and as we've said countless times, money talks in this novel. Accepting money to "make an exception" is a sure way of getting yourself off on the wrong path, but will Spade's greed get the better of his sense of honor? Will he accept the ten grand and let Gutman escape scot-free, falcon in hand?
Quote #11
"We haven't done enough talking about the money-end. I ought to have more than ten thousand."
Gutman said: "Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money."
Spade said: "You're quoting me, but it's not all the money in the world."
"No, sir, it's not. I grant you that. But it's a lot of money to be picked up in as few days and as easily as you're getting it."
"You think it's been so damned easy?" Spade asked, and shrugged. (19.109)
Spade comments here that Gutman is mistaken in thinking that it's been easy to earn ten thousand dollars in a few days. Keep in mind that this novel was written during the Great Depression, when most Americans were struggling to find jobs. Organized crime increased at an alarming rate because people needed ways to make money quick. Spade seems to be implying that picking up ten grand in a few days is neither easy, nor the most morally upright way of getting rich.