Their books were piled on my piano and tables, and many were sold.

I want to say that such courtesy was a rare compliment.

I used to go to various book stores, asking permission to look over books at a special reading table, and never met a refusal.

I fear in these days of aiding the war sufferers, and keeping our bodies limber and free from rheumatism by daily dancing, this plan would not find patrons.
I was often "browsing," as they call it, at the Mercantile Library.

At first I would sit down and give the names of volumes desired.