In no very happy frame of mind his next call was on his dry-goods
house. Mr. Luce met him, when he introduced himself, decidedly coldly.
Solomon began to think that he would go to some other house with his
order rather than leave it here. But before he made a move to go out
Mr. Luce asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I don't know as there is."

"Our Mr. Goodnow did not stop at your place the other day because of
your habit of returning goods. While we would be glad to do business
with you, we cannot allow anyone the privilege of ordering goods and
then returning them at our expense, if he happens to change his mind.
I do not try to make Eastern houses shoulder my mistakes, if I make
any in ordering goods, and I don't see why I should bear your
burdens."

"Why don't you send what I order? I didn't order the blue print I
returned the other day."

"Mr. Goodnow is very positive that you did order it. It is always
possible that the small sample he carries with him appears differently
to a man than the goods do when seen in the whole piece. And a man
might occasionally be expected to make a mistake, as you did the other
day when you wrote us to send you three gross of corsets, when you
intended, you said afterward, to order but three dozen. But in the
last three bills bought of Goodnow you have sent back goods, and it is
not possible that he made such mistakes. Then you deduct from bills,
though made out at prices agreed upon."