always sorry to let an old customer go."

"But I have an account here," said Mrs. Salisbury, startled.

The salesman, smiling, shook his head, and one of the members of the
firm, coming up, confirmed the denial.

"We were very sorry to take your name off our books, Mrs.
Salisbury," said he, with pleasant dignity; "I can remember your
coming into the old store on River Street when this young lady here
was only a small girl."

His hand indicated a spot about three feet from the floor, as the
height of the child Alexandra, and the grown Alexandra dimpled an
appreciation of his memory.

"But I don't understand," Mrs. Salisbury said, wrinkling her
forehead; "I had no idea that the account was closed, Mr. Lewis. How
long ago was this?"

"It was while you were ill," said Mr. Lewis soothingly. "You might
look up the exact date, Mr. Laird."

"But why?" Mrs. Salisbury asked, prettily puzzled.

"That I don't know," answered Mr. Lewis. "And at the time, of
course, we did not press it. There was no complaint, of that I'm
very sure."

"But I don't understand," Mrs. Salisbury persisted. "I don't see who