Page:Adventures in Thrift (1916).djvu/79

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but must make up your losses from charge customers who do not pay. I really gain nothing by paying my bill weekly."

A great light illuminated Mrs. Larry's marketing vision. Mr. Dahlgren looked uncomfortable.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, Mrs. Hall; but the sort of custom I have, what we call A-1 charge trade, demands the best——"

"It can," asserted Mrs. Larry significantly, "if it does not pay."

"I can't offer you seconds in meat, poultry or vegetables. Now, take this lettuce——"

He picked out a head of choice lettuce and pulled the leaves apart.

"See? Not a withered leaf, not a single leaf you could not serve on your table. Fifteen cents. Well, you can go to the dago stand round the corner and buy lettuce for eight or ten cents. My lettuce you have charged and delivered in clean baskets, by clean, respectful delivery boys, and you'll have enough for two salads. The Italian sells you lettuce that is withered on the outside from long standing in his hot cellar, or small heads from which all the