This was pleasant to hear, and Jed felt strongly impelled to engage in the service of the plausible Higgins.
"If you will trust me with twenty packages," he said, "I will see what I can do."
"Certainly. That will be three dollars. You see we charge you fifteen cents each, and you sell them for twenty-five. That gives you two dollars. You had better take fifty packages, and then you won't have to come back to-morrow."
"Very well, I will take fifty."
"All right. You may pay me seven dollars and a half, and I will get the packages ready."
"Do you require payment in advance?" asked Jed quickly.
"Certainly. You are a stranger to me, and even if you were not, I should not feel like risking so much money or money's worth. What is there to hinder your making off with it and never coming back?"
"I wouldn't be dishonest for a great deal more money than that."
"I dare say you are right, but we must adhere to our business methods. You will get your money back in two days probably."