“Wasn’t it rather—­rash, considering the fifteen per?” Mount Dunstan suggested.  He was really beginning to enjoy himself.

“What’s the use of making a dollar and sitting on it.  I’ve not got fifteen per—­steady—­and here I am.”

Mount Dunstan knew his man, and looked at him with inquiring interest.  He was quite sure he would go on.  This was a thing he had seen before—­an utter freedom from the insular grudging reserve, a sort of occult perception of the presence of friendly sympathy, and an ingenuous readiness to meet it half way.  The youngster, having missed his fellow-traveler, and probably feeling the lack of companionship in his country rides, was in the mood for self-revelation.

“I’m selling for a big concern,” he said, “and I’ve got a first-class article to carry.  Up to date, you know, and all that.  It’s the top notch of typewriting machines, the Delkoff.  Ever seen it?  Here’s my card,” taking a card from an inside pocket and handing it to him.  It was inscribed: 

J. Burridge & son,

Delkoff typewriter co.

Broadway, new York.  G. Selden.

“That’s my name,” he said, pointing to the inscription in the corner.  “I’m G. Selden, the junior assistant of Mr. Jones.”

At the sight of the insignia of his trade, his holiday air dropped from him, and he hastily drew from another pocket an illustrated catalogue.

“If you use a typewriter,” he broke forth, “I can assure you it would be to your interest to look at this.”  And as Mount Dunstan took the proffered pamphlet, and with amiable gravity opened it, he rapidly poured forth his salesman’s patter, scarcely pausing to take his breath:  “It’s the most up-to-date machine on the market.  It has all the latest improved mechanical appliances.  You will see from the cut in the catalogue that the platen roller is easily removed without a long mechanical operation.  All you do is to slip two pins back and off comes the roller.  There is also another point worth mentioning—­the ribbon switch.  By using this ribbon switch you can write in either red or blue ink while you are using only one ribbon.  By throwing the switch on this side, you can use thirteen yards on the upper edge of the ribbon, by reversing it, you use thirteen yards on the lower edge—­thus getting practically twenty-six yards of good, serviceable ribbon out of one that is only thirteen yards long—­making a saving of fifty per cent. in your ribbon expenditure alone, which you will see is quite an item to any enterprising firm.”

He was obliged to pause here for a second or so, but as Mount Dunstan exhibited no signs of intending to use violence, and, on the contrary, continued to inspect the catalogue, he broke forth with renewed cheery volubility: 

“Another advantage is the new basket shift.  Also, the carriage on this machine is perfectly stationary and rigid.  On all other machines it is fastened by a series of connecting bolts and links, which you will readily understand makes perfect alignment uncertain.  Then our tabulator is a part and parcel of the instrument, costing you nothing more than the original price of the machine, which is one hundred dollars—­without discount.”