"You are the best judge. That lies with God and your own conscience."
"Be kind enough to return every barrel you purchased of me, and get your money."
There was a rebuke in the way this was said, which was keenly felt. An effort was made to soften the aspersion tacitly cast upon the old man's integrity, but it was received without notice.
In due time the damaged article was brought back, and the money which had been paid for it returned.
"You will not lose, I hope?" said the merchant, with affected sympathy.
"I shall lose what I paid for the article."
"Why not return it, as I have done?"
"The man from whom I purchased is neither honest nor responsible, as I have recently learned. He left the city last week in no very creditable manner, and no one expects to see him back again."
"That is hard; but I really don't think you ought to lose."
"The article is not merchantable. Loss is, therefore, inevitable."