“So,” he replied weakly. “That is right. It is just so. Come over here.”
The inspector follows him to a desk in the corner.
“Could you not help me out of this?” he asks, using a queer Jewish accent. “I did not know this once. You are a nice man. Here is a present for you. It is funny I make this mistake.”
“No,” returns the inspector, shaking his head. “Keep your money. I can’t do anything. These goods are tagged. You must learn not to give out finishing to people without a license.”
“That is right,” he exclaims. “You are a nice man, anyhow. Keep the money.”
“Why should I keep the money? You’ll have to explain anyhow. I can’t do anything for you.”
“That is all right,” persists the other. “Keep it, anyhow. Don’t bother me in the future. There!”
“No, we can’t do that. Money won’t help you. Just observe the law—that’s all I want.”
“The law, the law,” repeats the other curiously. “That is right. I will observe him.”
Such is one story—almost the whole story. This employer, so nervous in his wrongdoings, so anxious to bribe, is but a little better off than those who work for him.