u,
Aaron, we could make it up by skimping on the garments; but we ain't
that kind, Aaron. A business man is got to be on the level with his
customers, Aaron, otherwise he wouldn't be in business long; and you
take it from me, Aaron, these here two young fellers, Greenberg & Sen,
would got to do business differencely or it would be quick good-bye
with 'em, and don't you forget it."

Aaron Pinsky rose to his feet and gazed hard at Sam Zaretsky.

"Shall I tell you something, Sam?" he said. "You are sore at them two
boys because they quit you and goes into business by themselves. Ain't
it?"

"I ain't sore they goes into business, Aaron," Sam replied. "Everybody
must got to make a start, Aaron, and certainly it ain't easy for a new
beginner to get established, y'understand. Also competition is
competition, Aaron, and we ourselves cop out a competitor's trade oncet
in a while, too, Aaron, but Greenberg & Sen takes advantage, Aaron.
They see that you are fond of that boy Fillup, and certainly it does
you credit, because you ain't married and you ain't got no children of
your own, Aaron. But it don't do them credit that they work you for
business by pretending that they want the boy because he is a smart boy
and that they are going to pay him ten dollars a week because he's
worth it. No, Aaron; they don't want the boy in the first place, and in
the second place he ain't worth ten dollars a week, and in the third
place they ain't going to pay him ten dollars a week, because they will
add it to the cost of their garments; and, Aaron, if you want any
fourth, fifth, or sixth places I could stand here talking for an hour.
But you got business to attend to, Aaron, and so you must excuse me."

He thrust his hands into his trousers-pockets and walked stolidly
toward the cutting room, while Aaron blinked in default of a suitable
rejoinder.

"My partner is right, Aaron," Max said. "He is right, Aaron, even if he
is the kind of feller that would throw me out of the window, supposing
I says half the things to you as he did. But, anyhow, Aaron, that ain't
neither here nor there. You heard what Sam says, Aaron, and me, I stick
to it also."

[Illustration: "You heard what Sam says, Aaron, and me, I stick to it
also"]

Aaron blinked once or twice more and then he put on his hat.

"All right," he said. "All right."

He turned toward the front of the showroom where his nephew was sorting
over a pile of garments.

"Fillup!" he bello