Leaving the pier, I made my way to Mr. Jackson’s store, which, as I have said, was the largest at the Bend.
I found the merchant behind the counter, weighing out sugar.
“Well, have you come to settle up?” he asked shortly.
“I have come to pay some on account,” I replied.
“How much?”
“Twenty-one dollars.”
“Why don’t you pay the whole bill of twenty-four, and be done?”
“Because I haven’t so much. Some of the middlings I sold Mr. Carnet got wet, and I had to make a reduction.”
“Humph! Well, hand over the money. Every little helps. But I can’t trust out any more goods till the entire amount is settled.”