He shook Hal's hand and walked up the street.
Hal returned to his rooms, and hunted out his belongings. It was getting dark as he went into the street with a bundle over his shoulder. He entered a shop which he had noticed on former occasions, wondering what class of people patronized it.
"How much for these?" he asked, opening his bundle, and displaying five suits which he had been in the habit of wearing in Birmingham.
"They're not much good to me," he said. "They're not the class o' togs I want. Six shillings the lot."
"Six shillings!" said Hal quietly. "They cost four times as many pounds, and that quite recently. Bid again."
"Six the figure. Not a penny more," exclaimed the man.
"I'll take four pounds for the lot," said Hal.
"You may, but not from me, young man. Good a'ternoon to yer."
"Good-day; I'll go elsewhere," said Hal quietly, and at once did up the fastenings of his bundle. Then he lifted it, and walked calmly out of the shop.
"Hold hard there!" cried the man, arresting him at the door. "Let's see the togs again." He inspected them closely; but it was merely a pretense, for anyone could see with half an eye that they were really good. "I'll make it three ten," he said.