"I want something for a grown-up man," he said, as he advanced to the counter.
The shop-woman did her best to show everything she thought likely to suit, but Humphrey was not at all satisfied with the choice. His restless eyes wandered all over the shop. "Have not you got anything for a man to put in his pocket?" he asked.
An inspiration seized the woman, and she advanced to the window.
"Take care!" called out Humphrey, to the woman's great surprise, as she began to take down some things.
"Please don't," he continued, in an agony, as, startled by his shout, she remained, with a compass in one hand and a purse in the other.
"Father's out there, and he'll see what you take down, and guess it's for his birthday present."
The woman humbly begged his pardon, but it was too late; Humphrey would not look at either purse or compass. "You've spoilt it all," he said; "he must have seen."
He remained leaning disconsolately against the counter, gazing with no friendly eye on the rapidly increasing heap of goods which the patient woman produced from all corners of the shop for his inspection.
"Have you got a husband?" he asked, suddenly.