“No, I won’t pay ten cents,” said the lady (?) coldly.  “I’ll give you forty cents for five boxes, and nothing more.”

“But, madam, they cost me within a trifle of eight cents a box.”

“I can’t help that.  You paid too much for them, and this must be your loss, not mine, if I buy your strawberries.  I never pay for other people’s mistakes.  I understand the use of money much better than that.”

The poor woman did not feel very well.  The day was unusually hot and sultry, and her tray felt heavier, and tired her more than usual.  Five boxes would lighten it, and if she sold her berries at eight cents, she would clear two cents and a half, and that would be better than nothing.

“I’ll tell you what I will do,” she said, after thinking a few moments; “I don’t feel as well as usual to-day, and my tray is heavy.  Five boxes sold will be something.  You shall have them at nine cents.  They cost me seven and a half, and I’m sure it’s worth a cent and a half a box to cry them about the streets such hot weather as this.”

“I have told you, my good woman, exactly what I will do,” said the customer, with dignity.  “If you are willing to take what I offer you, say so; if not, we needn’t stand here any longer.”

“Well, I suppose you will have to take them,” replied the strawberry-woman, seeing that there was no hope of doing better.  “But it’s too little.”

“It’s enough,” said the lady, as she turned to call a servant.  Five boxes of fine large strawberries were received, and forty cents paid for them.  The lady re-entered the parlor, pleased at her good bargain, while the poor woman turned from the door sad and disheartened.  She walked nearly the distance of a square before she could trust her voice to utter her monotonous cry of

“Strawb’rees! Strawb’rees!”

An hour afterward, a friend called upon Mrs. Mier, the lady who had bought the strawberries.  After talking about various matters and things interesting to lady housekeepers, Mrs. Mier said: 

“How much did you pay for strawberries this morning?”

“Ten cents.”

“You paid too much.  I bought them for eight.”

“For eight!  Were they good ones?”

“Step into the dining-room, and I will show them to you.”

The ladies stepped into the dining-room, when Mrs. Mier displayed her large, red berries, which were really much finer than she had at first supposed them to be.

“You didn’t get them for eight cents,” remarked the visitor, incredulously.

“Yes I did.  I paid forty cents for five boxes.”

“While I paid fifty for some not near so good.”

“I suppose you paid just what you were asked?”

“Yes, I always do that.  I buy from one woman during the season, who agrees to furnish me at the regular market price.”

“Which you will always find to be two or three cents above what you can get them for in the market.”