The resulting explosion effectively collapsed the entire US economy, kicking economic growth to the curb and sending the Gross Domestic Profit into freefall.
But Bourdoncle remained grave, biting his lips. For his part he drew his commission on the total profits, and it was not to his advantage that the prices should be lowered.
I am pleased to be able to announce, higher than we expected at this time last year: this year's figure is three hundred and fifty-four million pounds compared with last year's figure of four hundred and fifty-one million pounds.