Some of them withdrew across the store and in low tones pretended to discuss the merits of articles in another show case.
"I guess you couldn't let me have him for forty-eight cents," said the Wilbur twin hopelessly.
Solly Gumble removed his skullcap, fluffed his scanty ring of curls, and drew on the cap again.

His manner was judicial but not repellent.
"Mebbe I could--mebbe I couldn't," he said.

"You sure you ain't got two cents more in that other pocket, hey ?" The Wilbur twin searched, but it was the most arid of formalities.
"No, sir; I spent it all." "Spent all his money!" remarked the dog seller with a kind of pitying contempt, and drew off toward the door.

Two more of the courtiers followed as unerringly as if trained in palaces.

Solly Gumble bent above the counter.
"Well, now, you young man, you listen to me.