“But you will get it. Thank you so much.”
The salesman noticed my hesitation, put his own interpretation upon it and hastened to oblige.
“I shall be glad to have the purchases carried there,” he said. “Our boy will do it, miss. It will be no trouble.”
Miss Morley thanked him so much. I was hoping she might leave the shop then, but she did not. The various packages were wrapped, handed to the boy, and she accompanied the latter to the door and showed him our equipage standing before the sporting-goods dealer's. Then she sauntered back.
“Thank you,” she said, addressing the clerk. “That is all, I believe.”
The clerk looked at her and at me.
“Yes, miss, thank you,” he said, in return. “I—I—would you be wishing to pay at once, miss, or shall I—”
“Oh, this gentleman will pay. Do you wish to pay now—Uncle Hosea?”
Again I was stumped. The salesman was regarding me expectantly; the other clerks were near by; if I made a scene there—No, I could not do it. I would pay this time. But this should be the end.
Fortunately, I had money in my pocket—two five-pound notes and some silver. I paid the bill. Then, and at last, my niece led the way to the pavement. We walked together a few steps in silence. The sporting-goods shop was just ahead, and if ever I was determined not to do a thing that thing was to pay for the tennis racket and the rest.