essons from the old lady, in which she explained to him how to
find out the selling prices of the various articles from the marks on
the little tags attached to them. And she particularly instructed him
in the management of the circulating library. She informed him of the
character of the books, and, as far as possible, of the character of
the regular patrons. She told him whom he might trust to take out a
book without paying for the one brought in, if they didn't happen to
have the change with them, and she indicated with little crosses
opposite their names those persons who should be required to pay cash
down for what they had had, before receiving further benefits.

It was astonishing to see what interest Mr. Tolman took in all this.
He was really anxious to meet some of the people about whom the old
lady discoursed. He tried, too, to remember a few of the many things
she told him of her methods of buying and selling, and the general
management of her shop; and he probably did not forget more than three
fourths of what she told him.

Finally everything was settled to the satisfaction of the two male
parties to the bargain,--although the old lady thought of a hundred
things she would yet like to do,--and one fine frosty afternoon a
cart-load of furniture and baggage left the door, the old lady and her
son took leave of the old place, and Mr. Tolman was left sitting behind
the little counter, the sole manager and proprietor of a circulating
library and a stationery and notion shop. He laughed when he thought
of it, but he rubbed his hands and felt very well satisfied.

"There is nothing really crazy about it," he said to himself. "If
there is a thing that I think I would like, and I can afford to have
it, and there's no harm in it, why not have it?"

There was nobody there to say anything against this, so Mr. Tolman
rubbed his hands again before the fire, and rose to walk up and down
his shop, and wonder who would be his first customer.

In the course of twenty minutes a little boy opened the door and came
in. Mr. Tolman hastened behind the counter to receive his commands.
The little boy wanted two sheets of note-paper and an envelope.

"Any particular kind!" asked Mr. Tolman.

The boy didn't know of any particular variety being desired. He
thought the same kind she always got would do. And he looked very hard
at Mr. Tolman, evidently wondering at the change in the shopkeeper, but
asking no questions.