But there are two sides to a contrast; and it is wonderful also how one gets through what one cannot get out of.
A certain change in the Bruce-habits, leading to important results for Annie, must now be recorded.
Robert Bruce was making money, but not so fast as he wished.

For his returns came only in small sums, although the profits were great.

His customers were chiefly of the poorer classes of the town and the neighbourhood, who preferred his unpretending shop to the more showy establishments of some of his rivals.

A sort of _couthy_, _pauky_, confidentially flattering way that he had with them, pleased them, and contributed greatly to keep them true to his counter.

And as he knew how to buy as well as how to sell, the poor people, if they had not the worth of their money, had at least what was good of its sort.