With the accommodating host's help, an agreement was made with a skilled worker in wood to build six little boats according to specifications given, for the sum of five lire each.

The carpenter had the boats ready on time, and during the exhibition, constituted himself a sort of major domo, making himself very busy and very much in the way about the place, as though he had charge of the entire affair.

At the close of the entertainment, he presented a bill for seventy-five lire, when according to his contract, it should have been but thirty lire.

Paul refused to pay until the landlord should examine the account and pronounce it correct.

When it was shown to that gentleman, he vigorously protested against its payment, pronouncing it robbery and compelling the carpenter to render an itemized account.