Do not make up the account, but tell me roundly there or thereabouts; and then, should I leave suddenly, you can say truly that I had not asked for my bill, and that you were altogether ignorant of my intention of leaving." "There can be no occasion for that," the host said.

"You can pay me the next time you come, should you decide to leave suddenly." "Nay, I would rather settle obligations, for if I do not do business with the earl, it may be some time before I return." The landlord made rapid calculations, and named a sum, which Oswald at once handed to him, with warm thanks for the warning he had given him.
"I may stay here three or four days longer," he said meaningly, "as the earl may, at the last moment, come to an agreement as to the price of the goods.

I should be sorry to return to my uncle without getting an order, for the earl has, for years, been one of our best customers." The landlord nodded.
"I understand," he said.

"It would be as well, perhaps, that you should say as much in the hearing of one of the drawers; so that, if questioned, I shall have a witness who can bear me out.".