This Joshua did awkwardly enough, and the customer departed, much pleased with her bargain, as she had a right to be, for the real price of the shawl was nine dollars, but, thanks to Joshua's ignorance, she had been able to save four.
Joshua looked at the five-dollar bill he had just received, and a new idea occurred to him. He replaced in the drawer the bill he had originally taken from it, and substituted that just received.
"I won't say anything about having sold a shawl," he said, "and father'll never know that one has been sold. At any rate, not till I get money enough to replace the bill I have taken."
Just then a little girl came in and inquired for a spool of cotton.
Joshua found the spools, and let her select one.
"How much is it?" asked the young customer.
"Ten cents."
"Mother told me it wouldn't be but six."
"Very well, if that is all you expect to pay, you shall have it for that."