Charlotte made for the latter department, and when she was inside Mr.Ray appeared in person from the lumber-shop adjoining, which, despite its manginess, contributed by far the greater share to his income.
Charlotte put her question simply enough.

The man did not answer her directly, but soon found that she meant no harm to him.

He told her that such misrepresentations were quite possible, and that they embodied a form of humour which was getting more and more into vogue among certain facetious persons of society.
Charlotte was coming away when she asked, as on second thoughts, if he had any specimens of such work to show her.
'None of my own preparation,' said Mr.Ray, with unimpeachable probity of tone.

'I consider them libellous myself.

Still, I have one or two samples by me, which I keep merely as curiosities .-- There's one,' he said, throwing out a portrait card from a drawer.