I convinced him to take it out in barter instead of cash.

There's something undignified about repentance and the desire for forgiveness, something Christianoid that bothers me. The Devil, even in defeat, stays faithful to himself and to his own contradiction.

In the law's eyes, Dinwiddie was a mere dabblesome amateur.

[…]and the Clothier is made Creditor in Account for ſo much as he ſold for to the ſaid Merchant, then ſuch Cloathier having occaſion to pay money to a Stapler or Woolmonger for Wool, he doth buy of him, ſo the said Clothier is made Debtor, and the Woolmonger Creditor in Account: the ſaid Woolmonger hath bought his Wool of a Countrey Farmer, and muſt pay him for it, ſo the Woolmonger is made Debtor, and the Farmer Creditor:[…]