On the second evening after Dr. Morgan’s departure, as Leonard was just about to leave the shop, a customer stepped in with a book in his hand, which he had snatched from the shop-boy, who was removing the volumes for the night from the booth without.
“Mr. Prickett, Mr. Prickett!” said the customer, “I am ashamed of you. You presume to put upon this work, in two volumes, the sum of eight shillings.”
Mr. Prickett stepped forth from the Cimmerian gloom of some recess, and cried, “What! Mr. Burley, is that you? But for your voice, I should not have known you.”
“Man is like a book, Mr. Prickett; the commonalty only look to his binding. I am better bound, it is very true.” Leonard glanced towards the speaker, who now stood under the gas-lamp, and thought he recognized his face. He looked again. Yes; it was the perch-fisher whom he had met on the banks of the Brent, and who had warned him of the lost fish and the broken line.
MR. BURLEY (continuing).—“But the ‘Art of Thinking’!—you charge eight shillings for the ‘Art of Thinking.’”
MR. PRICKETT.—“Cheap enough, Mr. Burley. A very clean copy.”
MR. BURLEY.—“Usurer! I sold it to you for three shillings. It is more than one hundred and fifty per cent you propose to gain from my ‘Art of Thinking.’”
MR. PRICKETT (stuttering and taken aback).—“You sold it to me! Ah, now I remember. But it was more than three shillings I gave. You forget,—two glasses of brandy-and-water.”
MR. BURLEY.—“Hospitality, sir, is not to be priced. If you sell your hospitality, you are not worthy to possess my ‘Art of Thinking.’ I resume it. There are three shillings, and a shilling more for interest. No; on second thoughts, instead of that shilling, I will return your hospitality: and the first time you come my way you shall have two glasses of brandy-and-water.”
Mr. Prickett did not look pleased, but he made no objection; and Mr. Burley put the book into his pocket, and turned to examine the shelves. He bought an old jest-book, a stray volume of the Comedies of Destouches, paid for them, put them also into his pocket, and was sauntering out, when he perceived Leonard, who was now standing at the doorway.