46. Is that the usual way in which the knitting trade is carried on by the women in Shetland?-Yes.
47. Do they generally get the wool supplied to them that way?-I believe they do. At least it is the way with some of them. They won't want it.
48. They don't buy the wool themselves?-They are not able to buy the wool.
49. Have you worked for other merchants than Mr. Linklater?- No; only for him. I have knitted a few things for a lady, but I never knitted to any other merchant than Mr. Linklater.
50. Then you don't know how the other merchants deal with the women who knit for them?-No; I cannot say anything about that.
51. Would you prefer to sell your goods to a private lady, or to a stranger counting to Shetland, rather than have to take them to a merchant?-If I could get all money for them, I would prefer that. 52. Supposing there was a merchant here who paid for goods altogether in money, would you prefer to take your hosiery to him?-Yes; if I could get all money, I would prefer that.
53. Is there no such person?-No; there is no such person here as that. A lady may buy a thing or two at a time, and give money for them, but that could not be a general thing.
54. How do you know that you cannot got money from the merchants? Is it because you have attempted to get it, or simply because you have a sort of understanding to that effect?-The merchants don't allow all money for the knitting.
55. Have they told you that?-Yes.
56. Who has told you?-Just the whole of them. None of them pay wholly in money for anything.