"Of course," I said, "because you don't know how to advertise, and won't let anybody else know for you ?" In a few minutes he was telling me he'd dropped more than a thousand on a patent that was out of date before it got fairly going.

"All right," said I."Here's your new cooking-stove.

You've dropped a thousand on the other thing; give your advertising to us, and I'll guarantee you shall come home on the cooking-stove."' 'Come home on it ?' Nancy inquired, in astonishment.
'Oh, it's our way of talking,' said the other, with his hearty laugh.
'It means to make up one's loss.

And he'll do it.

And when he has, he'll think no end of me.' 'I daresay.' 'Not long ago, I boxed a chap for his advertising.