The man, when we entered, was busy with a chisel and hammer opening a new crate full of boots.
George raised his hat, and said "Good-morning." The man did not even turn round.

He struck me from the first as a disagreeable man.

He grunted something which might have been "Good-morning," or might not, and went on with his work.
George said: "I have been recommended to your shop by my friend, Mr.X." In response, the man should have said: "Mr.X.is a most worthy gentleman; it will give me the greatest pleasure to serve any friend of his." What he did say was: "Don't know him; never heard of him." This was disconcerting.

The book gave three or four methods of buying boots; George had carefully selected the one centred round "Mr.X," as being of all the most courtly.

You talked a good deal with the shopkeeper about this "Mr.X," and then, when by this means friendship and understanding had been established, you slid naturally and gracefully into the immediate object of your coming, namely, your desire for boots, "cheap and good." This gross, material man cared, apparently, nothing for the niceties of retail dealing.