“That’s pretty—sort of—ain’t it, Jim?” he asked.
“Yes,” replied his companion, with emphasis, “it is. And I think you’ll find it is expensive, also.”
“That so? How much?” turning to the salesman.
The latter gave the price of the chain. Captain Elisha whistled.
“Whew! Jerushy!” he exclaimed. “And it wouldn’t much more than go around my wrist, at that. All the same size, are they?”
“No. Some are longer. The longer ones are higher priced, of course.”
“Sartin! They’re for fleshy folks, I s’pose. Mrs. Thoph Kenney down home, she’d have to splice three of ’em together to make the round trip. Thoph’s always scared he won’t get his money’s wuth in a trade, but he couldn’t kick when he got her. To give the minister a dollar and walk off with two hundred and eighty pounds of wife is showin’ some business sagacity, hey? To do him justice, I will say that he seems to be satisfied; she’s the one that does the complainin’. I guess this is the most expensive counter in the store, ain’t it, Mister?”
The clerk laughed. “No, indeed,” he said. “These are all moderate priced goods. I wonder,” turning to Pearson, “if your friend wouldn’t like to see some of our choice pieces. It is a quiet day here, and I shall be glad to show them.”
He led the way to a set of show cases near the door on the Fifth Avenue side. There before Captain Elisha’s dazzled eyes were displayed diamond necklaces and aigrettes, tiaras and brooches, the figures on their price tags running high into the thousands. Pearson and the good-natured clerk enjoyed themselves hugely.
“Jim,” said the captain after a little of this, “is there a police officer lookin’ this way?”