embarrassment, became quite absorbed. How came it he was ordering the
cake for it? Blushing like the boy that he was entirely, he spoke in a
most engaging voice: "No, not charged; and as you don't know me, I had
better pay for it now."

Self-possession in his speech he almost had; but the blood in his cheeks
and forehead was beyond his control.

A reply came from behind the counter: "We don't expect payment until
delivery."

"But--a--but on that morning I shall be rather particularly engaged." His
tones sank almost away on these words.

"We should prefer to wait, then. You will leave your address. In
half-pound boxes, I suppose?"

"Boxes? Oh, yes--I hadn't thought--no--just a big, round one. Like this,
you know!" His arms embraced a circular space of air. "With plenty of
icing."

I do not think that there was any smile on the other side of the counter;
there was, at any rate, no hint of one in the voice. "And how many
pounds?"

He was again staggered. "Why--a--I never ordered one before. I want
plenty--and the very best, the very best. Each person would eat a pound,
wouldn't they? Or would two be nearer? I think I had better leave it all
to you. About like this, you know." Once more his arms embraced a
circular space of air.