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52 hundred and forty souls in my parish,—say twelve dozen.”

“I think, dear,” said little Jessie, “you are better to take a few more than you really want, in case of accidents.”

“In purchasing a large quantity, sir,” said Mr. Culpepper, “we would strongly advise you taking it in the wood, and drawing it off as you happen to want it. We have it in four-and-a-half and nine-gallon casks, and we deduct ten per cent. for cash payments.”

“Then, Mr. Culpepper, be good enough to let me have a nine-gallon cask of Love Philtre as soon as possible. Send it to the Rev. Stanley Gay, Ploverleigh.”

He wrote a cheque for the amount, and so the transaction ended.

“Is there any other article?” said Mr. Culpepper.

“Nothing to-day. Good afternoon.”

“Have you seen our new wishing-caps? They are lined with silk and very chastely quilted, sir. We sold one to the Archbishop of Canterbury not an hour ago. Allow me to put you up a wishing-cap.”

“I tell you that I want nothing more,” said Gay, going.

“Our Flying Carpets are quite the talk of the town, sir," said Culpepper, producing a very handsome piece of Persian tapestry. “You spread it on the ground and sit on it, and then you think of a place and you find yourself there before you can count ten. Our Abudah chests, sir, each chest containing a patent Hag, who comes out and prophecies disasters whenever you touch this spring, are highly spoken of. We can sell the Abudah chest complete for fifteen guineas.”