Acting against his trusty henchman's advice, Will had made a considerable purchase of goods from a bankrupt stock; and what seemed to be a great bargain was beginning to prove a serious loss.

Customers grumbled about the quality of articles supplied to them out of this unlucky venture, and among the dissatisfied was Mrs.Cross, who came and talked for twenty minutes about some tapioca that had been sent to her, obliging Mr.Jollyman to make repeated apologies and promises that such a thing should never occur again.

When the querulous-voiced lady at length withdrew, Will was boiling over with rage.
"Idiot!" he exclaimed, regardless of the fact that Allchin overheard him.
"You see, sir," remarked the assistant.

"It's just as I said; but I couldn't persuade you." Will held his lips tight and stared before him.
"There'll be a net loss of ten pounds on that transaction," pursued Allchin.

"It's a principle of honest business, never buy a bankrupt stock.