"I only want a farthing's worth of pins," I observed,
apologetically, to the bald-headed shopwalker who pounced down upon
me. "Please to step this way." To my astonishment he marched me to
the extreme end of the shop, thence through an opening in the side
wall, past another long double row of dames and damsels of all sorts
and sizes making purchases, and finally referred me to a young lady
whose special function in life seemed to consist in selling pins to
adventurous young gentlemen like myself. She was an extremely good
looking young lady too, and I felt considerably embarrassed at the
insignificance of my purchase. "And the next thing, please?" she
asked, during the wrapping-up process. I informed her, as politely
as I could, that I did not require anything more.
"Gloves, handkerchiefs, collars, shirts, neckties--?"
"No thank you," I returned, "I only came in for the pins." But I was
not to be let off so easily.
Utterly ignoring the humble penny that I had laid down on the
counter, she showed me samples of almost everything in the shop
suitable for male wear. Blushing to the roots of my hair, I implored
her to spare herself further trouble, as my wardrobe was already
extensive. Then she showed me a sample silk umbrella.
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