"One dollar," was the answer.
"One dollar," said the lounger, "can't you take less than that?"
"No indeed; one dollar is the price."
After waiting some time he asked: "Is Mr. Franklin at home?"
"Yes, he is in the printing-office."
"I want to see him," said the lounger.
The shop-boy soon informed Franklin (as we will henceforth call him) that a gentleman was waiting to see him in the shop.
"Mr. Franklin, what is the lowest you can take for this book?" he asked, as Franklin came in. At the same time he held up the book at which he had been looking.
"One dollar and a quarter," was the reply.
"One dollar and a quarter! Why, your young man asked but a dollar."