Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/153

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A MEETING OF THE CHOIR.
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bably to keep it out of his eyes). He smiled at remarks that floated in from the outside, but was never known to answer them in Mr. Penny's presence. Outside the window, the upper-leather of a Wellington-boot was usually hung, pegged to a board as if to dry. No sign was over his door; in fact—as with old banks and mercantile houses—advertising in any shape was scorned; and it would have been felt as beneath his dignity to paint, for the benefit of strangers, the name of an establishment the trade of which came solely by connection based on personal respect.

His visitors now stood on the outside of his window, sometimes leaning against the sill, sometimes moving a pace or two backwards and forwards in front of it. They talked with deliberate gesticulations to Mr. Penny, enthroned in the shadow of the interior.

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