This happened so frequently that he almost never paid a bill in the first instance, with the natural result that those who had sent him honest bills before, after one or two experiences with him, made it a practice to add thirty per cent.

or so to the total, in order that they might later on gracefully reduce their demands without loss.

Thus my client, by his peevishness, actually created the very condition regarding which, out of an overactive imagination, he had complained originally without just cause.
It so happened that the first matter in which he required my services was a dispute over a tailor's bill that he regarded as excessive.
He had ordered a pair of trousers without inquiring the price and was shocked to discover that he had been charged three dollars more than for his last pair.

The tailor explained at great length that the first had been summer weight and that these were winter weight; but to no purpose.
"You think you can take advantage of me because I'm an old man!" he shrieked in rage.

"But you'll find out.