amiss, but I didn't mean it so. I meant a certain loss; you understand, a certain loss; that is to say, a certain loss. Now then, sir, what use your mere writing and saying you will insure me, unless beforehand you place in my hands a money-pledge, sufficient to that end?"
"I see; the material pledge."
"Yes, and I will put it low.; say fifty dollars."
"Now what sort of a beginning is this? You, barber, for a given time engage to trust man, to put confidence in men, and, for your first step, make a demand implying no confidence in the very man you engage with. But fifty dollars is nothing, and I would let you have it cheerfully, only I unfortunately happen to have but little change with me just now."
"But you have money in your trunk, though ?"
"To be sure. But you see—in fact, barber, you must be consistent. No, I won't let you have the money now; I won't let you violate the inmost spirit of our contract, that way. So good-night, and I will see you again."
"Stay, sir"—humming and hawing—"you have forgotten something."
"Handkerchief?—gloves? No, forgotten nothing. Good-night."
"Stay, sir—the—the shaving."
"Ah, I did forget that. But now that it strikes me, I shan't pay you at present. Look at your agreement; you must trust. Tut! against loss you hold the guarantee. Good-night, my dear barber."
