"All right," cheerfully assented Perner.
"OFFER NO. 1
"Our splendid paper, 'The Whole Family,' for one year, fifty-two issues, and our great world-beating, stem-winding and -setting, cylinder-escapement, diamond-balance, crown-jeweled watch! Worth, both together, five dollars in gold! Given by us, until present limited quantity is exhausted, for the mere ridiculous bagatelle of
"ONE DOLLAR!
"and twenty-five cents to pay for postage and packing."
Perner paused and caught his breath. Then he added:
"The last line, of course, will be in small type, so it won't seem to count. It's the dollar that will catch them. And what do you think of 'crown-jeweled'? Wasn't that an inspiration? You see, 'full-jeweled' means a certain number, and we don't want to deceive anybody, while 'crown-jeweled' means just jewels, because any kind of jewels are suitable for a crown."
Perner regarded them triumphantly. Barrifield and Livingstone murmured assent.
"Yes, that was a great stroke," agreed Van Dorn; "but I object to the 'mere ridiculous bagatelle.'"
Perner looked injured. It was evident that he valued this form.