"If report says true, Captain Bridgeman," replied Mrs Handbell, "you would be quite as often here, even if no ladies were to be customers of Mrs Keene. Mrs Keene, have you any of that narrow French ribbon left?" "I think I have, madam; it was off this piece, was it not?" "Yes; but I really don't know exactly how much I require; perhaps you will measure it and allow me to return what is left?" "Certainly, madam; will you take it with you, or shall I send it?" "I wish for it directly; will you be very long in measuring it, for I ought to be home now?" "Perhaps you'll have the kindness to measure what you take off yourself, madam," replied my mother, "and then you need not wait." "You put confidence in me, I observe, Mrs Keene," replied Mrs Handbell; "well, I will do you justice." My mother smiled most graciously, put the piece of ribbon in paper, and handed it to Mrs Handbell, who, bowing to Captain Bridgeman, quitted the shop. "I wonder whether you would trust me in that way?" said Captain Bridgeman to my mother. "I don't think I should; Amelia says you will help yourself to cigars and that she is sure you cheat when you count them." "Does she really say that? Well, I did think that if there was any one who would have upheld my character, it would have been Miss Amelia." "Perhaps, Captain Bridgeman, she is getting tired of so doing." "Or tired of me, Mrs Keene, which would be worse still. Here comes a fair young lady--Miss Evans, if I mistake not; I believe she is a good customer to your library?" "She reads a great deal, and is therefore only a customer to the library." "Ladies who are fond of reading are seldom fond of working." "Good morning Miss Evans," said Captain Bridgeman; "you come for more food for the mind, I presume?" (Miss Evans gave a bob, and turned to my mother.) "Have you anything new, Mrs Keene? I have brought back the three volumes of Godolphin." "Yes, miss, I have some books down to-day." While Miss Evans was selecting from the new books, enter Mr Jones, Mr Smith, and Mr Claville, of the marine corps, for cigars. Amelia comes out to attend them--they purchase a few articles, and are talking very loud, when three more ladies enter the shop, all for books. It being now about three o'clock, the customers and loungers come in fast. Captain Bridgeman saunters away in company with his brother officers; other parties enter, who are succeeded by fresh claimants for books or the other articles to be procured in the repository. This demand continues till about five o'clock, when the library becomes empty; I come home from school, my father slinks in from barracks, and my mother and sister return to the back parlour, where they find my grandmother, as usual, very busy with her knitting.