"Of course they will. We import 'em ourselves."
"Well, I don't know. If you'll sell 'em real cheap I'll take two."
Then ensued a discussion of the price, which Oliver found very amusing. Finally the old lady took two handkerchiefs and retired.
"Is that the way you do business?" asked Oliver.
"Yes. We have all sorts of customers, and have to please 'em all. The old woman wanted to know if they would wash. The color'll all wash out in one washing."
"I am afraid you cheated her, then."
"What's the odds? She wasn't willing to pay for a good article."
"I don't believe I can do business that way," thought Oliver.
Just then Mr. Kenyon returned with Ezekiel Bond from the back room in which they had been conferring.
"It's all settled, Oliver," he said. "Mr. Bond has agreed to take you, and you are to begin work next Monday morning."