"I want to know!" quietly echoes the Yankee.
"Yes, sir; what do you wish to use them for?" says the clerk.
"Use 'em?" responded the Yankee.
"Yes; what priced hinges did you require?"
"What priced hinges?—"
"Exactly! Tell me what you require them for, and I can soon come at the sort of hinges you require," said the clerk, making an effort to come to a climax.
"Who said I wanted any hinges?"
"Who said you wanted any? Why, don't you want to buy hinges?"
"Buy hinges? Why, no; I don't want nothin'; I only came in to look areound!"
Having looked around, the imperturbable Yankee stepped out, leaving the poor clerk—quite flabbergasted!