At this the old gentleman nodded and smiled.
“As you can see, these novels are well illustrated,” went on the young book agent. “Each illustration is by a well-known artist, so the set of books is quite valuable for the pictures alone.”
Again the old gentleman nodded and smiled quietly.
“I will tell you of the merits of each volume,” pursued Frank, and launched forth in a description that lasted ten or fifteen minutes. The old gentleman appeared to be very attentive, but made no reply to what was said.
“Now, sir, don’t you think you want this set of books?” asked the young agent at last.
Still the old gentleman made no reply. But he drew a pad from his pocket, and with a pencil, wrote the following:
“I am deaf and dumb. What did you show me the books for?”
“Well, I never!” murmured our hero to himself, and then, realizing the humor of the situation, he burst into a merry laugh. “Here I’ve been talking my prettiest, and this man hasn’t heard a single word.” And he laughed again.
A moment later he took the pad and wrote down that he wanted to sell a set of the books. But the old man shook his head, and wrote in reply:
“I never buy books. I borrow them from my children.”