“They bid too low. They bid below cost themselves, and then I had to take the business for less ’n that. It cost me money every time I done a job. Calc’late I’ve lost a couple hundred dollars since I come, and no outlook for doin’ better.”
“Why don’t you git out?” says I.
“Can’t afford it. Hain’t got the money to move. Got all this stock; besides, my sister-in-law’s so dead set on runnin’ them fellers out of town that I dassen’t quit.”
“Run away,” says I.
“I’d lose my stock,” says he, “and I’ve lost more ’n enough already.”
“Um!...” I says, thinking it over. “What if you could sell your stock?”
“Got a lease on this store, or rather that sister-in-law of mine has. It runs for a year. The rent’s got to be paid.”
“That’s her lookout, hain’t it? She got you into this mess, didn’t she?”
“Calc’late she did.”
“Well?” says I.