7o 
   D.  I started only some eight months ago, my dear sir. and am still well supplied from my original stock with what is strictly required to begin with. For the present I must therefore decline your offer, although quite willing to do business with the House you represent.
   T. Your shop is situated in one of the main thoroughfares (i) of the town, and you cannot help (2) keeping a complete assortment of all descriptions of articles connected with your line; are you sure there is none wanting ?
   D.  I.dqfn't say that, and, of course, have a mind to enlarge my range of business, but little by little, you know; I don't like to enter engagements, which I'm not certain I shall be able to fulfil. « Slow and sure » is my device.
   T-  You are right in that, but my House is willing to grant special facilities to new
   (1) Chiamatisi « thoroughfares » quei punti di una città dove sboccano o s'incrociano più strade e si ha quindi maggior movimento: « centri ».
   (2) 11 verbo « to help » più comunemente adoperato nel suo significato di « aiutare », quando sia accompagnato dal difettivo potenziale «can» ha in/ece, specialmente nella iorma negativa, quello di « evitare, trattenersi dal fare una cosa », donde le locuzioni « you cannot help » e « if I can help it - rispettivamente corrispondenti alle italiane : « voi non potete a meno di» e « se posso farne a mino ».
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   concerns (1), and you would run no risk of falling short (2) of your engagements.
   D.  In what would such facilities consist?
   T.  First of all in selling at the lowest possible figures, by means of an allowance on our list- prices (3), which are already so low as to enable us to stand successfully in competition with any other manufacturer both at home and abroad  Secondly in granting long credit.
   D.  Yes? that's tempting enough; still I am perplexed, Igst some article mm not catch, and remain then long unsold; retail business (4), you know, is very difficult, and long experience is. required before a shopkeeper may know on what descriptions of goods he can safely Cgly for a ready sale.
   (1) Il sostantivo « concern » è qui adoperato col significato di « azienda, negozio a.
   (2) La locuzione « to fall short of » corrisponde all'italiana « venir meno a » nel senso di mancare al compimento di un dovere, ufficio, ecc.
   (3) List-prlces  Pre^i di listino, cioè i prezzi segnati nei listini, coi quali i commercianti annunziano i prezzi correnti.
   (4) Retail business  Affari al minuto - Negozio al minuto.