"I have taken counsel, young man." "And those are your lowest terms ?" "I cannot accept sixpence less.

It is not in me to go from my word.

As Jacob served Laban seven years, and again another seven years, having promised, so do I abide by my bond.

Having said twenty pounds, young man, Heaven forbid that I should take so much as twenty pence less than those twenty pounds!" The solemn unction with which he pronounced this twaddle is beyond description.

The pretence of conscientious feeling which he contrived to infuse into his sordid bargain-driving might have done honour to Moliere's Tartuffe.