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 to buy. On one occasion Galvin put in a plea for a colander, and whether a colander was animal, mineral or vegetable, animate or inanimate, I had less idea than a babe unborn, although it was manifestly impossible to confess so much to Galvin. It was only by the merest good fortune that I happened to ask for it in the hardware department of Messrs. Wimple, Gabardine & Vale, instead of at the notion counter.

Again, Galvin was hemming napkins and asked if I desired to have her “turn in the selvage.” A selvage? A selvage? I remember answering weakly:

“We are too hospitable, Galvin, to turn out even a selvage.”

This seemed to satisfy her, but I realized that it was by sheer luck. Which reminds me that I have never remembered from that hour to consult the dictionary upon a selvage.

In fine, I was daily pestered with numberless details which it was impossible to resent