"Do you expect to buy much tobacco at that price?" he asked.
"We expect to purchase every pound of tobacco in this country at less than five cents," said one.
In Wade's mind there was a set determination, born on the moment, that they should not purchase one pound of tobacco for less than ten cents, and perhaps more.
"You are buying for the trusts?" he asked.
"No," said the other, half angrily, "we are not buying for the trusts. I am buying for a private company, and have no connection with this gentleman, although we are together. If his judgment leads him to believe that the tobacco is worth more than my judgment leads me to believe it to be worth, naturally he offers a better price, that's all. Now, as I said, you have about the highest quality tobacco I have seen this season, therefore I shall raise this gentleman's offer and make it four cents and the half. Shall you let it go at that?"
"I shall not."
"Then you may keep it stored until it rots."
"Hold!" said the second man. "My last offer is six cents. Shall you let it go?"
"I shall not!"
"Then keep it in your barns until it rots; you'll not get more than we have offered you."