"Then ... I am very stupid ... but why do you fight?"
"Can you sell hardware to dead men on a battle-field?" added Esteban.
Strawbridge looked at his questioners, with a misgiving that he would never make them understand the true situation. They would never realize the necessity of learning the complete details of a customer's business. He began talking very carefully, as if he were explaining a lesson to a child:
"I am joining the raid on San Geronimo to get a working idea of my patron's business conditions."
Lubito nodded.
"Before I sell a market, I like to know it thoroughly."
"Precisamente."
"Before I sell a man a tool, I want practical, first-hand knowledge of just how he is going to use it, what he needs, why he needs it. That's the American method." Launched on his favorite theme, Strawbridge spoke with a certain fervor.
"But why is that, señor?" puzzled Esteban. "If you sell a man anything, it is his. He has it. You have sold it."