He endeavoured to explain, but was met with the tale that he had himself started.

He then honestly produced his books, and laid his position bare to the last penny.
The banker believed him, and renewed part of the advance for a short period; but he began, to cogitate in this wise: 'Here is a farmer of long experience, born of a farming family, and a hardworking fellow, and, more than that, honest.

If this man, who has hitherto had the command of a fair amount of capital, cannot make his books balance better than this, what must be the case with some of our customers?
There are many who ride about on hunters, and have a bin of decent wine.

How much of all this is genuine?
We must be careful; these are hard times.' In short, Smith, without meaning it, did his neighbours an immense deal of harm.

His very honesty injured them.