“Is it in good condition?”
“Quite fair. It is a bit dingy, and the back cover has some water spots,” added our hero, who could recall the volume very well. “It looks about like this book,” he went on, picking up one before him.
“If it is in as good condition as that book I’ll give you twenty dollars for the volume.”
At this answer Frank’s heart gave a bound. Twenty dollars, and the other woman had offered him all the books in the garret for five dollars! Here was a chance for business truly.
“Is that the best you could do,” he said, cautiously. “The book is quite rare, you know.”
“Well, I might give you twenty-five dollars.”
“I’ll let you have it for that,” answered the young book agent.
He remained at the mansion for an hour longer, during which the storm cleared away as rapidly as it had come.
“Thank you for giving me shelter,” he said, on leaving. “I’ll bring that book to-morrow or the day after.”
“There is no especial hurry,” answered Mrs. Carsdale. “And it is I must thank you for closing the windows.”