"Any of the folks in with you?"
"No; my wife did want to come in, but concluded it was too cold; 'spected some of your folks out to see us durin' this good sleighing—why didn't you come?"
"Couldn't very well spare time," said the storekeeper.
"Well, we'd been glad to see you, and if you get time, and the sleighin' holds out, you must come and see us."
"I may—I can't promise for certain."
Now another pause took place, and thinks we—the climax has come, surely, after all that small talk. The country gent walked deliberately to the door; he actually took hold of the knob.
"You off?" says the storekeeper.
"B'lieve I'll be off"—opening the door, then rushes back again—semi-excited by the force of some pent up idea, says the rural gent—"O! Mr. ——, don't you want to buy some good fresh eggs?"
"Eggs? Yes, I do; been looking all around for some fresh eggs; how many have you?"
"Five dozen; thought you'd want some; so I come right in to see!"