The place seemed deserted, for at that time of day no country people were at Millville; but on passing down the aisle the visitor approached a little office built at the rear of the store. Behind the desk Bob West sat upon his high stool, gravely regarding his unusual customers over the rims of his spectacles.
"Good morning," said Louise, taking the lead. "Have you a stew pan?"
The merchant left the office and silently walked behind the counter.
"Large or small, miss?" he then asked.
The girls became interested in stew pans, which they were scarcely able to recognize by their official name. Mr. West offered no comment as they made their selection.
"Can you send this to the Wegg farm?" asked Louise, opening her purse to make payment.
West smiled.
"I have no means of delivering goods," said he; "but if you can wait a day or two I may catch some farmer going that way who will consent to take it."
"Oh. Didn't Captain Wegg purchase his supplies in the village?" asked the girl.
"Some of them. But it is our custom here to take goods that we purchase home with us. As yet Millville is scarcely large enough to require a delivery wagon."