So he would go to Lawson 's , where Samuel or his son would wait on him . Alas ! Matthew did not know that Samuel , in the recent expansion of his business , had set up a lady clerk also ; she was a niece of his wife 's and a very dashing young person indeed , with a huge , drooping pompadour , big , rolling brown eyes , and a most extensive and bewildering smile . She was dressed with exceeding smartness and wore several bangle bracelets that glittered and rattled and tinkled with every movement of her hands . Matthew was covered with confusion at finding her there at all ; and those bangles completely wrecked his wits at one fell swoop . `` What can I do for you this evening . Mr. Cuthbert ? '' Miss Lucilla Harris inquired , briskly and ingratiatingly , tapping the counter with both hands . `` Have you any -- any -- any -- well now , say any garden rakes ? '' stammered Matthew . Miss Harris looked somewhat surprised , as well she might , to hear a man inquiring for garden rakes in the middle of December . `` I believe we have one or two left over , '' she said , `` but they 're upstairs in the lumber-room . I 'll go and see . '' During her absence Matthew collected his scattered senses for another effort . When Miss Harris returned with the rake and cheerfully inquired : `` Anything else tonight , Mr. Cuthbert ? '' Matthew took his courage in both hands and replied : `` Well now , since you suggest it , I might as well -- take -- that is -- look at -- buy some -- some hayseed . '' Miss Harris had heard Matthew Cuthbert called odd . She now concluded that he was entirely crazy . `` We only keep hayseed in the spring , '' she explained loftily . `` We 've none on hand just now . ''
`` Oh , certainly -- certainly -- just as you say , '' XXXXX unhappy Matthew , seizing the rake and making for the door .
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