Read the excerpt from "Madam and the Rent Man" by Langston Hughes.The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy-do? I said, WhatCan I do for you? He said, You knowYour rent is due.

The rent man and speaker exchange ordinary, direct greetings and statements about the rent being due. The wording is neutral and conversational, so it creates a matter-of-fact attitude. It does not use angry or threatening language to show hostility.

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