"We like your pretty things very much," she said. "May we have what you've shown us?"
Planchet inclined his head.
"As Madame pleases."
I crossed to where he was standing and went through my list, identifying each article as I came to it, and making him confirm the price. When we had finished, I insisted upon him checking my figures. He did so with some show of reluctance. The total, seemingly, was good enough.
When the reckoning was over, I hesitated.
Then—
"You know," I said slowly, "we'd have to pay much more than this in the shops."
It seemed only fair.
Planchet spread out his hands.
"Monsieur is very kind: but for me, I should not obtain more from the merchants. I know them. They are robbers. I prefer infinitely to deal with you."