“I have never seen him,” said Reginald, “but all our orders go to him for execution.”

“Oh, well, thank you very much. I am sure I am much obliged to you. You seem to be single-handed here. It must be hard work for you.”

“Pretty hard sometimes.”

“I suppose clothing is what you chiefly supply?”

“We have also been sending out a lot of globes and blackboards to schools.”

“Dear me, I should be glad to get a pair of globes for our parish school—very glad. Have you them here?”

“No, they are in London too.”

“And how do you sell them? I fear they are very expensive.”

“They cost £3 the set, but we only ask £2 with the order.”

“That really seems moderate. I shall be strongly tempted to ask our Vicar to let me get a pair when in London. Will Mr Smith be able to show them to me?”