“Do you call it a pretty good article?” continued our hero.
“Very fair; I use it in my own family,” answered Abner, looking over his spectacles at his young customer.
“I guess I’ll take a pound,” said Robert with the air of one who had plenty of money.
“A pound?” ejaculated Abner Sands in surprise.
“Yes, sir.”
A pound of tea for one in John Trafton’s circumstances seemed to Mr. Sands an extraordinary order. Considering that it was probably to be charged, it seemed to the cautious trader an impudent attempt to impose upon him, and he looked sternly at our young hero.
“We don’t trust,” he said coldly.
“I haven’t asked you to trust me, Mr. Sands,” said Robert independently.
“You don’t mean to say you’re ready to pay for it cash down, do you?” asked Abner, his countenance expressing amazement.
“Yes, I do.”