"I hope you will excuse me, madam," returned the shopman. "The muff is
in a position hard to reach. Besides, we must ask leave to take
anything down after the window is dressed for the day, and the master
is out. But I will bring you the same fur precisely."

So saying, he went, and returned presently with a load of muffs and
other furs, which he threw on the counter. But the lady had heard that
"there's tricks i' the world," and persisted in demanding a sight of
the muff in the window. Being a "tall personage" and cool, she carried
her point. The muff was hooked down and brought her--not
graciously. She glanced at it, turned it over, looked inside, and
said,

"I will take it. Please bring a bandbox for it."

"I will, madam," said the man, and would have taken the muff. But she
held it fast, sought her purse, and laid the price on the counter. The
shopman saw that she knew what both of them were about, took up the
money, went and fetched a bandbox, put the muff in it before her eyes,
and tied it up. The lady held out her hand for it.

"Shall I not send it for you, madam?" he said.

"I do not live here," she answered. "I am on my way to the station."

"Here, Jack," cried the shopman to Clare, whom he caught sight of that
moment going down to the basement, "take this bandbox, and go with the
lady to the station."