Two ladies who were making a purchase turned round and gazed at me with an awe-struck but approving look. The young man was evidently much impressed.
"That," he said, "is one of our newest designs. The stones are all specially selected. The price"—he studied the little tag attached to it—"the price is £1,050; very cheap for the value."
"It is," I said, "wonderfully cheap. I can't think how you manage to do it. I will think about it. In the meantime I should like to see something smaller and not quite so valuable."
"Is it a wedding present, Sir?"
"Don't," I said, "let us call it a wedding present just yet." If we do it's sure to turn out a sugar-sifter. Let's think of it as a mere gift."
"Yes, Sir."
"Of course we may find that the man to whom we're going to give it is about to be married, but that will be only the long arm, won't it?"
"The—I beg your pardon, Sir;"
"A coincidence, you know; and we're not the men to be put off by coincidences, are we?"
"No, Sir. Would you like to see the manager, Sir?"