Why, in the early months, it cost him a wrench somewhere to take coppers at the counter from very poor folk who perhaps made up the odd halfpenny in farthings, and looked at the coins reluctantly as they laid them down.

More than once, he said, "Oh never mind the ha'penny," and was met with a look--not of gratitude but of blank amazement.

Allchin happened to be a witness of one such incident, and, in the first moment of privacy, ventured a respectful yet a most energetic, protest.

"It's the kindness of your 'eart, sir, and if anybody knows how much of that you have, I'm sure it's me, and I ought to be the last to find fault with it.

But that'll never do behind the counter, sir, never! Why, just think.