He bustled forward, and taking the articles in his hands examined them closely.
"Three shillings for the lot—cash," he remarked. "Done," said the other.
"Did I say three?" inquired Mr. Kybird, startled at this ready acceptance.
"Five you said," replied Mr. Nugent, "but I'll take three, if you throw in a smile."
Mr. Kybird, much against his inclinations, threw in a faint grin, and opening a drawer produced three shillings and flung them separately on the counter. Miss Kybird thawed somewhat, and glancing from the customer's clothes to his face saw that he had a pleasant eye and a good moustache, together with a general air of recklessness much appreciated by the sex.
"Don't spend it on drink," she remarked, not unkindly.
"I won't," said the other, solemnly; "I'm going to buy house property with it."
"Why, darn my eyes," said Mr. Kybird, who had been regarding him closely; "darn my old eyes, if it ain't young Nugent. Well, well!"
"That's me," said young Nugent, cheerfully; "I should have known you anywhere, Kybird: same old face, same old voice, same old shirt-sleeves."
"'Ere, come now," objected the shopkeeper, shortening his arm and squinting along it.