"Because," said he, "you based your estimate of pr-rofits on the percentage of expense. Therefore, Meester Black, the less your sales are, the gr-reater becomes the percentage of expense."
I didn't quite follow this, but he continued:
"Ye should set a dead-line of expense and departmentize your costs."
I looked quite mystified by this, and he explained:
"Do ye noo compr-rehend? I mean ye should have only a certain percentage of expense for rent, salaries, advertising and se-emilar items, and then plan your expenses not to exceed these percentages."
"I see," said I. "Will you help me with that?"
"I surely will. I can give the matter some attention in aboot a week," said he.
"Then," said I, "so far as you can see, the business, instead of showing me a profit of about $60.00 a week, will show me only a profit of about $25.00."
"Just aboot that," he replied. "Indeed, it will approximate somewhat less. There is one other matter, Mr. Black, I would suggest you do at once, and that is, let me see the agreement you had wi' that mon, Simpson."
"That's at Barrington's," I said.