"So that each clock was charged up to us at a rate ranging from one dollar and forty cents to one dollar and fifty."
"By what right?" said Dennis.
"It's what is called a subsidiary company," said the Tennessee Shad. "It's quite popular nowadays."
"But where's the stock we subscribed?" said Dennis, thinking of his one dollar and fifty cents. "We get that back?"
"No."
"What!" said the two in unison.
"It's this way. Owing to executive interference, the Third Triumvirate Manufacturing Company is liable to the Eureka Purchasing Company for ten alarm clocks, which it has ordered and can't use."
"But then, out of the whole, blooming mess," said Dennis, quite overcome, "where do I stand?"
The Tennessee Shad unfolded a paper and read:
"You owe the Eureka, as your share of the assessment, two dollars and forty cents."