lost the opportunity of showing how greatly I esteem a gentleman who has
suffered so severely in the cause of national amelioration.'

'Sir!' said Popanilla, 'your approbation is the only reward which I ever
shall desire for my exertions. You will excuse me for not quite keeping
up with you; but the fact is, my pockets are so stuffed with cash that
the action of my legs is greatly impeded.'

'Credit me, my friend, that you are suffering from an inconvenience
which you will not long experience in Hubbabub. Nevertheless, to remedy
it at present, I think the best thing we can do is to buy a purse.'

They accordingly entered a shop where such an article might be found,
and taking up a small sack, for Popanilla was very rich, his companion
inquired its price, which he was informed was four crowns. No sooner
had the desired information been given than the proprietor of the
opposite shop rushed in, and offered him the same article for three
crowns. The original merchant, not at all surprised at the intrusion,
and not the least apologising for his former extortion, then demanded
two. His rival, being more than his match, he courteously dropped upon
his knee, and requested his customer to accept the article gratis, for
his sake. The generous dealer would infallibly have carried the day,
had not his rival humbly supplicated the purchaser not only to receive
his article as a gift, but also the compliment of a crown inside.

'What a terrible cheat the first merchant must have been!' said the
puzzled Popanilla, as they proceeded on their way.

'By no means!' said his calm companion; 'the purse was sufficiently,
cheap even at four crowns. This is not Cheatery; this is Competition!'