Then our visitor from the country espied some little blank books lying on the counter.  He had already made up his mind to have one, in which to keep his accounts; and he thought, while he was waiting, that he would purchase one.  He meant to do things methodically; so when he picked up one of the blank books, it was with the intention of buying it.

“Put that book down!” said Mr. Timmins, encouraged in his aggressive intentions by the previous docility of our hero.

“I want to buy one.”

“No, you don’t:  put it down.”.

“What is the price of these?” asked Bobby, resolutely.

“None of your business!”

CHAPTER VIII.

In which Mr. Timmins is astonished, and Bobby dines in Chestnut street.

It was Mr. Bayard.  He had finished his business with the gentleman by his side, and hearing the noise of the scuffle, had come to learn the occasion of it.

“This impudent young puppy wouldn’t let the books alone!” began Mr. Timmins.  “I threatened to turn him out if he didn’t; and I meant to make good my threat.  I think he meant to steal something.”

Bobby was astonished and shocked at this bold imputation; but he wished to have his case judged on its own merits; so he turned his face away, that Mr. Bayard might not recognize him.

“I wanted to buy one of these blank books,” added Bobby, picking up the one he had dropped on the floor in the struggle.

“All stuff!” ejaculated Timmins.  “He is an impudent, obstinate puppy!  In my opinion he meant to steal that book.”

“I asked him the price, and told him I wanted to buy it,” added Bobby, still averting his face.

“Well, I told him; and he said it was too high.”

“He asked me twenty-five cents for it.”

“Is this true, Timmins?” asked Mr. Bayard, sternly.

“No, sir, I told him fourpence,” replied Timmins boldly.

“By gracious!  What a whopper!” exclaimed Bobby, startled out of his propriety by this monstrous lie.  “He said twenty-five cents; and I told him I could buy one up in Riverdale, where I came from, for six cents.  Can you deny that?”

“It’s a lie!” protested Timmins.

“Riverdale,” said Mr. Bayard.  “Are you from Riverdale, boy?”

“Yes, sir, I am; and if you will look on your memorandum book you will find my name there.”

“Bless me!  I am sure I have seen that face before,” exclaimed Mr. Bayard, as he grasped the hand of Bobby, much to the astonishment and consternation of Mr. Timmins.  You are—­”

“Robert Bright, sir.”

“My brave little fellow!  I am heartily glad to see you;” and the bookseller shook the hand he held with hearty good will.  “I was thinking of you only a little while ago.”

“This fellow calls me a liar,” said Bobby, pointing to the astonished Mr. Timmins, who did not know what to make of the cordial reception which “Country” was receiving from his employer.