noon
I traveled street after street , up one side and down the other , without success . I fancied , toward the last , that the clerks all knew my business the moment I opened the door , and that they winked ill-naturedly at my discomfiture as I passed out . But nature endowed me with a good degree of persistency , and the next day I started again . Toward noon I entered a store where an elderly gentleman was talking with a lady near by the door . I waited until the visitor had left and then stated my errand . '' ` No sir , ' was the answer , given in a crisp and decided manner . Possibly I looked the discouragement I was beginning to feel , for he added in a kindlier tone , ` Are you good at taking a hint ? ' ''