us."

"Why not?"

"We had greater capital. With a large business there is always less
waste and greater efficiency."

"And your branch store absorbed the profits of the three small ones. I
see. But tell me, what became of the owners of the three stores?"

"One is driving a delivery wagon for us. I don't know what happened to
the other two."

Ernest turned abruptly on Mr. Kowalt.

"You sell a great deal at cut-rates.* What have become of the owners of
the small drug stores that you forced to the wall?"

* A lowering of selling price to cost, and even to less than
cost. Thus, a large company could sell at a loss for a
longer period than a small company, and so drive the small
company out of business. A common device of competition.

"One of them, Mr. Haasfurther, has charge now of our prescription
department," was the answer.

"And you absorbed the profits they had been making?"

"Surely. That is what we are in business for."