There is an old story that a Count of Flanders once gave an
entertainment to some Flemish merchants, but that the seats on which
they sat were without cushions. These "princes of the earth" thereupon
folded up their costly velvet cloaks, and used them accordingly. When
reminded, on their departure, of having left their cloaks behind, they
replied, that when asked to a feast they were not in the habit of
carrying away with them the chair cushions. Could this have originated
the expression "Flemish account?" In this case the proud merchants gave
such an account of a valuable article in their possession, as made it
out to be quite worthless to the owner.