Though I've been afraid, ever since you sold that piece of velvet to Harland's wife, that you cut rather deeper than was prudent." "Not a bit of it--not a bit of it! Had I asked her three dollars a yard, she would have wanted it for two.

So I said six, to begin with, expecting to fall extensively; and, to put a good face on the matter, told her that it cost within a fraction of what I asked to make the importation--remarking, at the same time, that the goods were too rich in quality to bear a profit, and were only kept as a matter of accommodation to certain customers." "And she bought at five ?" "Yes; thinking she had obtained the velvet at seventy-five cents a yard less than its cost.

Generous customer, truly!" "While you, in reality, made two dollars and a half on every yard she bought." "Precisely that sum." "She had six yards." "Yes; out of which we made a clear profit of fifteen dollars.

That will do, I'm thinking.

Operations like this count up fast." "Very fast.