Nearly all his customers came to pawn articles, not to
purchase, and Eliakim naturally supposed that the two boys had
come on this errand. Before entering, Paul said to Phil, "Don't
say anything; leave me to manage."
As they entered, Phil espied a fiddle hanging up behind the
counter, and he saw at a glance that it was better than the one
he had been accustomed to play upon. But to his surprise, Paul
did not refer to it at first.
"What will you give me on this coat?" asked Paul, indicating the
one he had on.
He had no intention of selling it, but preferred to come to the
fiddle gradually, that the pawnbroker might not think that was
his main object, and so charge an extra price.
Eliakim scanned the garment critically. It was nearly new and in
excellent condition, and he coveted it.
"I will give you a dollar," said he, naming a price low enough to
advance upon.
"That is too little," said Paul, shaking his head.
"I might give you fifty cents more, but I should lose if you
didn't redeem it."
"I don't think you would. I paid ten dollars for it."
"But it is old."
"No, it isn't; I have only had it a few weeks."
"How much do you want on it?" asked Eliakim, scanning Paul
sharply, to see how much he seemed in want of money.
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