the moment the eyes of a stranger began to grow accustomed to its
gloom, the evident size and plenitude of the shop might well
suggest a large hope. It was low, indeed, and the walls could
therefore accommodate few shelves; but the ceiling was therefore
so near as to be itself available for stowage by means of well-
contrived slides and shelves attached to the great beams crossing
it in several directions. During the shop-day, many an article,
light as lace, and heavy as broadcloth, was taken from overhead
to lay upon the counter. The shop had a special reputation for
all kinds of linen goods, from cambric handkerchiefs to towels,
and from table-napkins to sheets; but almost everything was to be
found in it, from Manchester moleskins for the navy's trousers,
to Genoa velvet for the dowager's gown, and from Horrocks's
prints to Lyons silks. It had been enlarged at the back, by
building beyond the original plan, and that part of it was a
little higher, and a little better lighted than the front; but
the whole place was still dark enough to have awaked the envy of
any swindling London shopkeeper. Its owners, however, had so long
enjoyed the confidence of the neighborhood, that faith readily
took the place of sight with their customers--so far at least as
quality was concerned; and seldom, except in a question of color
or shade, was an article carried to the door to be confronted
with the day. It had been just such a shop, untouched of even
legendary change, as far back as the memory of the sexton
reached; and he, because of his age and his occupation, was the
chief authority in the local history of the place.

As, on this evening, there were few people in the street, so were
there few in the shop, and it was on the point of being closed:
they were not particular there to a good many minutes either way.