Of course the joke must not be on the prospective customer, as was that of the dog fancier in your case. I found that out to my sorrow the other day. I had almost persuaded a country grocer to try a couple of pails of lard and a ham—not munificent, but a beginning—when I tipped the fat into the fire by being over keen to take a joke. A small boy came running in with a wad of paper, apparently containing money, clutched in one fist and a card in the other hand.
"How much is ten pounds of sugar at 5½ cents a pound?" he asked.
"Fifty-five cents," said the grocer.
"And a quarter of a pound of 60-cent tea?"
"Fifteen cents—to your mother"—smiled the grocer.
"And a half peck of potatoes at 28 cents a peck?" asked the boy.
"Fourteen," said the grocer.
"And four cans of tomatoes at 12½ cents each," said the boy, consulting his list.
"Just fifty cents," said the grocer.