2881. They do so, after having bargained and bothered with you to get you to reduce your prices, on the footing that they were to pay you in cash?-Yes; and of course you cannot refuse the line when it is offered to you. You must just take it and say nothing. 2882. Was that one of the reasons why you gave up giving lines?- It was not exactly for that I gave it up, but it was one of the reasons, because it was a great annoyance and bother. They would come in with the lines perhaps on mail-day, and bother us then. 2883. But a person might come in with a shawl on mail-day, and wish to take the value of it in goods. What would you do then?-I might tell them to come back again, and they would do it. 2884. Would they not do that if they had a line?-They would take care of that. They would get the goods they wanted, and then they would pop the line in. 2885. Then you think you are under an obligation to serve the people whenever they choose, if they have a line of yours?-Yes. 2886. But if the people have bargained with you, and you had offered them goods at a somewhat lower price for cash, and if a line was then offered to you in the way you have mentioned, would you not refuse to take the line in exchange for the goods?- No, I would not. It would not be right to do it. [Page 64] 2887. Would you not say,-If you are to pay with a line, you must take the goods at the ordinary price?-I never thought of doing that, and I don't think anybody would do it. 2888. You would not like to have the appearance of drawing back from your bargain?-No; it would not look very well. 2889. Have you heard any of the evidence that has been given to-day?-I was present when Mr. Laurenson was examined, and also during the first part of Mr. Sinclair's examination. 2890. Do you concur generally with the statements which Mr. Laurenson made with regard to the trade in Lerwick?-Yes; I think he gave a very just statement. 2891. You think what he said was generally correct?-I think so. 2892. Do you know how the women who live alone, and entirely by knitting, get their provisions?-I used to keep meal, but I don't do it now. I cannot do it, because it destroyed my place with moths. 2893. Do you know how these women supply themselves with meal now?-I cannot say. 2894. Most of them are likely employed at other work as well as at nitting?-Yes. 2895. But some of them will do nothing else?-There are very few who do nothing else, except those who are in bad health, and who are not able to work outside. 2896. Have you known any of these women taking goods from you and selling them again, in order to get money?-No; I never heard of any one doing that, so far as I know.