But I shall take it out myself soon

  "Good mornen, my little dear," said the rubicund man. "You're early this mornen." The apprentice had, indeed, only just taken down the shutters. "What can I do for you to-day? You look pale, my dear; what's the matter?"   "I have a bran-new seven and sixpenny book," she answered hurriedly, passing it to him.   He turned instinctively to the fly-leaf.   "Bran-new book!" he said contemptuously. "'Esther Ansell--For improvement!' When a book's spiled like that, what can you expect for it?"   "Why, it's the inscription that makes it valuable," said Esther tearfully.   "Maybe," said the rubicund man gruffly. "But d'yer suppose I should just find a buyer named Esther Ansell?" Do you suppose everybody in the world's named Esther Ansell or is capable of improvement?"   "No," breathed Esther dolefully. "But I shall take it out myself soon."   "In this world," said the rubicund man, shaking his head sceptically, "there ain't never no knowing. Well, how much d'yer want?"   "I only want a shilling," said Esther, "and threepence," she added as a happy thought.   "All right," said the rubicund man softened. "I won't 'aggle this mornen. You look quite knocked up. Here you are!" and Esther darted out of the shop with the money clasped tightly in her palm.   Moses had folded his phylacteries with pious primness and put them away in a little bag, and he was hastily swallowing a cup of coffee.