'The Wayfarer' is decidedly _the_ book of the season." "You don't say so!" said the oldest shoemaker, with a laugh.

"Every pedler that comes along uses those words, precisely." "Do they?
They steal my thunder then." "You are an old one." "Only thirteen.

I was born where they don't fasten the door with a boiled carrot." "What do they fasten them with ?" "They don't fasten them at all." "There are no book pedlers round there, then;" and all the shoemakers laughed heartily at this smart sally.
"No; they are all shoemakers in our town." "You can take my hat, boy." "You will want it to put your head in; but I will take one dollar for that book instead." The man laughed, took out his wallet, and handed Bobby the dollar, probably quite as much because he had a high appreciation of his smartness, as from any desire to possess the book.
"Won't you take one ?" asked Bobby, appealing to another of the men, who was apparently not more than twenty-four years of age.
"No; I can't read," replied he roguishly.
"Let your wife read it to you, then." "My wife ?" "Certainly; she knows how to read, I will warrant." "How do you know I have got a wife ?" "O, well, a fellow as good looking and good natured as you are could not have resisted till this time." "Has you, Tom," added the oldest shoemaker.
"I cave in;" and he handed over the dollar, and laid the book upon his bench.
Bobby looked at the third man with some interest.

He had said nothing, and scarcely heeded the fun which was passing between the little merchant and his companions.

He was apparently absorbed in his examination of the book.