‘Yes, yes,’ I said, ‘that’s all right, but never mind those trifles at present, we can discuss them at any time, they will keep, let’s discuss the bricks now. How much will you make them for per thousand?’
‘Well,’ they answered, ‘as you are that good man we mentioned, we will make them for you for four shillings a thousand.’ That would have been $200 = £40, but then equal to £200 to them.
‘Thanks,’ I said, ‘I am much obliged, but I can only give sixpence per thousand.’
‘Only sixpence a thousand,’ they said, with well-simulated astonishment.
‘Yes,’ I replied.
‘We won’t make them for that,’ they said.
‘Well,’ I answered, ‘I think you had better go home and reconsider your demand for four shillings a thousand; for you know very well that such wages are simply ridiculous, and when you have come to your senses, and are prepared to be reasonable, come back and we will talk the matter over.’
They went away, but returned the following week to offer to make the bricks for two shillings and sixpence a thousand.
‘No,’ I said, ‘sixpence per thousand.’
Away they went for another week, and by that time they had come down to one shilling and sixpence per thousand.