"Do nothing of the sort. I've already bought——"
"Now ladies, ladies, ladies!" cried the assistant.
"But you know——" began Mrs. Gray indignantly to the man.
"How ridiculous! You heard me say I'd have it. Why——"
"You didn't!"
"I did."
"But I was here long——"
"Mind your heads!" screamed a porter, forcing his way through.
"Here you are!" cried the assistant; "here's another one, so you'll both be satisfied."
Mrs. Gray surged out triumphantly with her bookcase, her rival following with the duplicate. Together they stood on the kerbstone waiting for the Leytonstone tram.