"That will be satisfactory."
"Have you an inventory?"
"Yes."
Scott looked it carefully over. He was offered even better terms than his employers had stipulated for.
At the end of half an hour he had agreed to purchase the entire stock, conditioned upon the amount and quality of goods being as represented. He knew enough of the value of goods to feel that he had made a good bargain for the firm.
Meanwhile, Ezra Little and Loammi had arrived.
"There's a gentleman with Mr. Clark," said a clerk.
"Please carry in my card," ordered Mr. Little, pompously.
He felt that his name would secure respectful consideration.
But he had to wait half an hour. Then, on entering the office, he found to his surprise Scott ahead of him. He nodded to him coolly, and in a tone of some importance said: "Mr. Clark, I have come to look over your stock, and if I find it and your terms satisfactory I may make considerable purchases."