Some people like to threaten after the danger is over.
Then our visitor from the country espied some little blank books lying on the counter.

He had already made up his mind to have one, in which to keep his accounts; and he thought, while he was waiting, that he would purchase one.

He meant to do things methodically; so when he picked up one of the blank books, it was with the intention of buying it.
"Put that book down!" said Mr.Timmins, encouraged in his aggressive intentions by the previous docility of our hero.
"I want to buy one." "No, you don't: put it down.".
"What is the price of these ?" asked Bobby, resolutely.
"None of your business!".