“I am – wondering,” she began, “whether it would be – possible for me – to sell one of these?”
She knew, as Mrs. Humphrey took the book from her, that she was calculating how she could refuse politely and without giving offence to buy anything.
Then, as she turned over the pages, her expression altered.
“Have you done these yourself?” she enquired, an incredulous note in her voice.
“Yes.”
“Have you offered them to anyone else?”
“No,” Anthea replied. “I drew them to amuse my sisters who live in the country. Yesterday I was looking at some of Mr. Gillray’s cartoons and I saw the name of your shop on the back.”
“Mr. Gillray is a very great loss indeed.”
“I am sure he must be,” Anthea answered, “but I see you publish the work of Mr. George Cruikshank.”
“A clever young man,” Mrs. Humph
