"It won't cost a great deal," he returned.

"Not over three hundred dollars," said I.

Mr. Smith shook his head as he answered: "Half that sum ought to be
sufficient. What will we want?"

"A dozen mahogany chairs to begin with," I replied. "There will be
sixty dollars."

"You don't expect to pay five dollars a-piece for chairs?" said my
husband, in a tone of surprise.

"I don't think you can get good ones for less."

"Indeed we can. I was looking at a very handsome set yesterday; and
the man only asked four dollars for them. I don't in the least doubt
that I could get them for three and a half."

"And a dear bargain you would make of that, I do not in the least
doubt. It is poor economy, Mr. Smith, to buy cheap furniture. It
costs a great deal more in the end, than good furniture, and never
gives you any satisfaction."

"But these were good chairs, Jane. As good as I would wish to look
at. The man said they were from one of the best shops in the city,
and of superior workmanship and finish."

As I make it a point never to prolong an argument with my husband,
when I see his mind bent in one direction, I did not urge my view of