“No, no, my dear,” interrupted Nicholas, from extreme modesty, “I am not one of the greatest opticians of the present day; although when I’ve made my improve—”
“Greatest opticians!” interrupted the lady. “One of the greatest fools, I meant!”
“That’s quite another thing, my dear; but—”
“No buts, Mr Forster; please to listen, and not interrupt me in that bearish manner. Why do you repair in the way you do? Who ever brings you a watch or a glass that you have handled a second time?”
“But why should they, my dear, when I have put them in good order?”
“Put them in order! but why do you put them in order?”
“Why do I put them in order, my dear?” replied Forster, with astonishment.
“Yes; why don’t you leave a screw loose, somewhere? then they must come again. That’s the proper way to do business.”
“The proper way to do my business, my dear, is to see that all the screws are tight.”
“And starve!” continued the lady.