Page:The Gilded Age - Twain - 1874.pdf/363

 —and you tell me that you enjoyed it and that you could read it three or four times, then I know what book I want—"

Thank you!—th—"

—"to avoid. Yes indeed. I think that no information ever comes amiss in this world. Once or twice I have traveled in the cars—and there you know, the peanut boy always measures you with his eye, and hands you out a book of murders if you are fond of theology; or Tupper or a dictionary or T. S. Arthur if you are fond of poetry; or he hands you a volume of distressing jokes or a copy of the American Miscellany if you particularly dislike that sort of literary fatty degeneration of the heart—just for the world like a pleasant-spoken well-meaning gentleman in any bookstore—. But here I am running on as if business men had nothing to do but listen to women talk. You must pardon me, for I was not thinking.—And you must let me thank you again for helping me. I read a good deal, and shall be in nearly every day; and I would be sorry to have you think me a customer

who talks too much and buys too little. Might I ask you to give me the time? Ah—two—twenty-two. Thank you very much. I will set mine while I have the opportunity."