So, Edward Claire, if you wish to rise above your present poor condition, if you wish to get rich, like your enterprising neighbours, you must do as they do.

If I go in for a lamb, I might as well take a sheep: the morality of the thing is the same.

If I take a large slice off of a customer, why shall not a portion of that slice be mine; ay, the whole of it, if I choose to make the appropriation?
All Jasper can fairly ask, is a reasonable profit: if I, by my address, get more than this, surely I may keep a part thereof.

Who shall say nay ?" Justifying himself by these and similar false reasonings, the young man thrust aside the better suggestions, from which he was at first inclined to retrace the false step he had taken; and wilfully shutting his eyes, resolved to go forward in his evil and dangerous course.
During the afternoon of that day a larger number of customers than usual were in, and Claire was very busily occupied.

He made three or four large sales, and was successful in getting several dollars in excess of fair profit from one not very well skilled in prices.