The customers were not very many--an old lady who
"wanted something to read" caused many volumes to be laid before her, and
finally left the shop without buying anything--a young man with spectacles
purchased some tattered science and a clergyman some Sermons. A thin and
very hungry looking man entered, clutching a badly-tied paper parcel. These
were books he wanted to sell. They were obviously treasured possessions
because he touched them, when they were laid upon the counter, with a
loving hand.
"They are very good books," he said plaintively.
"Three shillings," said Herr Gottfried.
The hungry man sighed.
"Five shillings," he said, "they are worth more."
"Three shillings for the lot," said Herr Gottfried.
"It is very little," said the hungry man, but he took the money and went
out sadly.
Once their came a magnificent gentleman--that is, he looked magnificent in
the distance away from the gas jet. He was tall with a high hat, a fine
moustache and a tailcoat; he had melancholy eyes and a languid air. Peter
was sorry to observe on a closer view that his tail-coat was frayed and his
collar not very clean.
He gave Herr Gottfried a languid bow and passed through the shop into the
room beyond.
"Guten Tag, Herr Signer," said Herr Gottfried with deference, but the
gentleman had already disappeared.
Then, after a time, one o'clock struck and Peter understood that if he
would place himself under Herr Gottfried's protection he should be led to
an establishment where for a small sum meat-pies were to be had.
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