chance observer a man who knew himself of importance, a man who
might have a soul somewhere inside that broad waistcoat; as he
drew up, threw the reins to his stable-boy, and descended upon
the pavement--as he stepped down into the shop even, he looked a
being in whom son or daughter or friend might feel some honest
pride; but, the moment he was behind the counter and in front of
a customer, he changed to a creature whose appearance and
carriage were painfully contemptible to any beholder who loved
his kind; he had lost the upright bearing of a man, and cringed
like an ape. But I fear it was thus he had gained a portion at
least of his favor with the country-folk, many of whom much
preferred his ministrations to those of his partner. A glance,
indeed, from the one to the other, was enough to reveal which
must be the better salesman--and to some eyes which the better
man.

In the narrow walk of his commerce--behind the counter, I mean--
Mr. Marston stood up tall and straight, lank and lean, seldom
bending more than his long neck in the direction of the counter,
but doing everything needful upon it notwithstanding, from the
unusual length of his arms and his bony hands. His forehead was
high and narrow, his face pale and thin, his hair long and thin,
his nose aquiline and thin, his eyes large, his mouth and chin
small. He seldom spoke a syllable more than was needful, but his
words breathed calm respect to every customer. His conversation
with one was commonly all but over as he laid something for
approval or rejection on the counter: he had already taken every
pains to learn the precise nature of the necessity or desire; and
what he then offered he submitted without comment; if the thing
was not judged satisfactory, he removed it and brought another.