.

"How soon could I have one?" he said.

"Oh very soon now; before Christmas certainly," replied Reginald.

"You are sure?"

"Oh yes. They will all be delivered before then."

"And have you had many orders?" said the clergyman.

"A great many," said Reginald.

"Hundreds, I daresay. There are many to whom it would be a boon at this
season to get so cheap an outfit."

"Two hundred, I should say," said Reginald. "Would you like to leave an
order with me?"

"Two hundred! Dear me! And did they all send the two pounds, as stated
here, along with their order?"

"Oh yes. Some sent more," said Reginald, quite thankful to have some
one to talk to, who did not regard him either as a fool or a knave.

"It must have been a very extensive bankrupt stock you acquired," said
the clergyman musingly. "And were all the applicants clergymen like
myself?"

"Nearly all."

"Dear me, how sad to think how many there are to whom such an
opportunity is a godsend! We are sadly underpaid, many of us, Mr
Reginald, and are apt to envy you gentlemen of business your comfortable
means. Now you, I daresay, get as much as three or four of us poor
curates get together."

"I hope not," said Reginald with a smile.

"Well, if I even had your L200 a year I should be thankful," said the
poor curate.

"But I haven't that by L50," said Reginald. "Shall I put you down for a
complete suit, as mentioned in the circular?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I cannot well do without it," said the other.

"And what name and address?" said Reginald.

"Well, perhaps the simplest way would be, as I am going back to London,
for you to give me an order for the things to present at your depot
there. It will save carriage, you know."

"Very well," said Reginald, "I will write one for you. You notice,"
added he, "that we ask for L2 with the order."

"Ah, yes," said the visitor, with a sigh, "that appears to be a stern
necessity. Here it is, Mr Reginald."

"Thank you," said Reginald. "I will write you a receipt; and here is a
note to Mr John Smith, at Weaver's Hotel, London, who has charge of the
clothing. I have no doubt he will be able to suit you with just what
you want."

"John Smith? I fancy I have heard his name somewhere. Is he one of
your principals--a dark tall man?"

"I have never seen him," said Reginald, "but all our orders go to him
for execution."

"Oh, well, thank you very much. I am sure I am much obliged to you.
You seem to