I mean our style 1040--that is to say,
Gembitz Brothers' style 1040."

Henry blushed.

"I don't know what you are talking about at all," he said.

"No?" Sam retorted slyly. "Well, I'll describe it to you, Henry. It's
what you would call a princess dress in tailor-made effects. The
waist's got lapels of the same goods, with a little braid on to it, two
plaits in the middle and one on each shoulder; yoke and collar of silk
net; and----"

"You mean my style number 2018?" Henry asked.

"I don't mean nothing, Henry," Sam declared, "because you shouldn't
throw me no bluffs, Henry. I seen one of them garments in your cutting
room only yesterday, Henry, which, if it wasn't made up in my old
factory, I would eat it, Henry--and Doctor Eichendorfer says I got to
be careful with my diet at that."

Henry shrugged.

"Well," he began, "there ain't no harm if----"

"Sure, there ain't no harm, Henry," Sam said, "because them garments is
going like hot cakes. A big concern like Falkstatter, Fein & Company
takes over three thousand dollars' worth from the boys for their stores
in Sarahcuse, Rochester, and Buffalo."

"Falkstatter, Fein & Company!" Henry cried. "Does them boys of yours
sell Falkstatter, Fein & Company?"

"Sure," Sam answered. "Why not?"

"Why not?" Henry repeated. "Ain't you heard?"

"I ain't heard nothing," Sam replied; "but I know that concern for
twenty years since already, Henry, and they always pay prompt to the
day."

"Sure, I know," Henry said; "but only this morning I seen Sol Klinger
in the subway and Sol tells me Simon Falkstatter committed suicide last
night."

"Committed suicide!" Sam gasped. "What for?"

"I don't know what for," Henry replied; "but nobody commits suicide for
pleasure, Mr. Gembitz, and if a man is in business, like Falkstatter,
when Marshall Field's was new beginners already, Mr. Gembitz, and he
sees he is got to bust up, Mr. Gembitz, what should he do?"

Sam rose to his feet and seized his hat and cane.

"Going home so soon, Mr. Gembitz?" Henry asked.

"No, I ain't going home, Henry," Sam replied. "I'm going over to see my
boys. I guess they need me."

He started for the door, but as he reached it he paused.

"By the way, Henry," he said, "on my way down I stopped in to see that
new concern there on Fifth Avenue--Weldon, Jones & Company--and you
should send 'em up also a couple of them princess dresses in brown and
smoke. I'll see you to-morrow."

"Do you think you