His store was an example of variety, punctuality, and quality. Upon the
theory, for which he deserved the credit, of giving to a country place
the advantages of one of the great city establishments, he was gradually
gathering, in their fashion, the small commerce into his hands. He had
already opened his bazaar through into the adjoining store, which he had
bought out, and he kept every sort of thing desired or needed in a country
town, with a tempting stock of articles before unknown to the shopkeepers
of Hatboro'. Everything was of the very quality represented; the prices
were low, but inflexible, and cash payments, except in the case of some
rich customers of unimpeachable credit, were invariably exacted; at the
same time every reasonable facility for the exchange or return of goods was
afforded. Nothing could exceed the justice and fidelity of his dealing with
the public. He had even some effects of generosity in his dealing with his
dependants; he furnished them free seats in the churches of their different
persuasions, and he closed every night at six o'clock, except Saturday,
when the shop hands were paid off, and made their purchases for the coming
week.
He stepped lightly before Annie and Mrs. Munger, and pushed open the
ground-glass door of his office for them. It was like a bank parlour,
except for Mrs. Gerrish sitting in her husband's leather-cushioned swivel
chair, with her last-born in her lap; she greeted the others noisily,
without trying to rise.
"You see we are quite at home here," said Mr. Gerrish.
"Yes, and very snug you are, too," said Mrs. Munger, taking one half of the
leather lounge, and leaving the other half to Annie. "I don't wonder Mrs.
Gerrish likes to visit you here."
Mr. Gerrish laughed, and said to his wife, who moved provisionally in her
chair, seeing he had none, "Sit still, my dear; I prefer my usual perch."
He took a high stool beside a desk, and gathered a ruler in his hand.
"Well, I may as well begin at the beginning," said Mrs. Munger, "and I'll
try to be short, for I know that these are business hours."
"Take all the time you want, Mrs. Munger," said Mr. Gerrish affably. "It's
my idea that a good business man's business can go on without him, when
necessary."
"Of course!" Mrs. Munger sighed. "If everybody had your _system_, Mr.
Gerrish!" She went on and succinctly expounded the scheme of the Social
Union. "I suppose I can't deny that the idea occurred to _me_," she
concluded, "but we can't hope to develop it without the co-operation of the
ladies of Old Hatboro', and I've come, first of all, to Mrs. Gerrish."