made for the door; all of a sudden I started, and turning round, “Dear me,” said I, “it has just come into my head, that if the book was lost by my negligence, as it must have been, I have clearly a right to make it good.”
No answer.
“Yes,” I repeated, “I have clearly a right to make it good; how glad I am! see the effect of a little reflection. I will purchase a Bible instantly, that is, if I have not lost . . . ” and with considerable agitation I felt in my pocket.
The prim-looking man smiled: “I suppose,” said he, “that he has lost his money as well as book.”
“No,” said I, “I have not;” and pulling out my hand I displayed no less a sum than three half-crowns.
“O noble goddess of the Mint!” as Dame Charlotta Nordenflycht, the Swede, said a hundred and fifty years ago, “great is thy power; how energetically the possession of thee speaks in favour of man’s character!”
“Only half a crown for this Bible?” said I, putting down the money; “it is worth three;” and bowing to the man of the noble features, I departed with my purchase.
“Queer customer,” said the prim-looking man, as I was about to close the door—“don’t like him.”
“Why, as to that, I scarcely know what to say,” said he of the countenance of a lion.