Illiterate shopkeeper. Buys a penny and sells for a profit

[cdwrover123]

I remember a short story many years ago where an illiterate shopkeeper makes a good living in his small shop. He says his margin is 3% ~<or similar~> when in fact he buys for a penny and sells for 4 pence i.e. 3 pence margin. The figures may not be accurate. Who wrote the story please

[andy-hughes]

iI think it's Somerset Maugham - it rings a bell as a filmed short story.

[andy-hughes]

Check this out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trio_(film)

[jno]

could be The Verger, but the facts don't quite square. That's actually a 300% profit.

You can read the Maugham story here

http://www.esnips.com...--W.-Somerset-Maugham