My reasoning (in my own mind) was logical and convincing.

I went to see him, and put forth all the arguments that I had so carefully thought out.

But he stormed about, and in the end I had the further humiliation of confessing to my partner that I had failed.

I had been able to accomplish absolutely nothing.
Naturally, he was very much disturbed at the possibility of losing our most valued connection, but I insisted and we stuck to our principles and refused to give the shipper the accommodation he had asked.

What was our surprise and gratification to find that he continued his relations with us as though nothing had happened, and did not again refer to the matter.