“There were plenty of fine embroidered napkins, Mr. King,” said Willie, “but ten dollars wouldn’t touch them. These are very fine napkins, but they are plain. Here’s your change.”
Mr. King unwrapped the napkins, looked at the purchase slip, and then counted the change Willie had given him. He found it correct.
“Here’s fifty cents for you, Willie,” he said, handing out a half dollar. “And I’m obliged to you.”
Willie laid the half dollar on the desk. “I’ve been paid once for my time,” he said. “I cannot take the money. But I thank you.”
Mr. King gave Willie a sharp look. He saw nothing but sincerity in the lad’s face. “Very well,” he remarked. “You are at least entitled to car fare. All our agents have their expenses paid when on duty.” And he handed a dime to Willie.
“Thank you,” said Willie, as he pocketed the money.
“Now we’ll see what sort of taste you have,” said Mr. King, as he spread the linen out on his desk.
“Well,” he said, “that suits me first-rate and it would suit Frank. But whether it will suit Frank’s wife or not I don’t know. She might not like them because they are not fancy.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t get the embroidered ones,” said Willie. “They were almost double the price of the plain napkins. And the price of the plain ones was a fright.”
“Yes, I knew they would come high. These are imported goods, and the duty is something like eighty or ninety per cent. ad valorem.”