It was like a game.

Sometimes he caught her, but before he could have a word with her she would make an excuse and hurry away, or turn him over to another.

Usually she shielded herself by keeping either the Colonel or Skinner beside her, if they were present, and they usually were.
"Land's sake!" she exclaimed to Mrs.Smith, one evening, as they were walking home after an ice-cream festival at Doc Weaver's, "I wish somebody would tell that Mr.Hewlitt that I don't want to buy no books.
He pesters the life out of me.

I can't show myself nowhere but he comes up, all loaded to begin, and if I'd give him half a chance he'd have me buyin' a book in no time.

It don't seem to make no difference where I am.