* * * *
Christy ran back into the shop to find the customers filing out onto the street.
“I am so sorry,” he said to them. A few smiled and shook his hand, a lady patted him on the arm. “You’d best see to Mr. Fenton, my dear. He’s a little upset.”
Christy pushed through to find Mr. Fenton clutching his desk with one hand, ordering the customers out.
“Go on. That’s it for today, the show is over.”
“Mr. Fenton,” he said and walked over to him. “Mr. Fenton…”
“You too. Haven’t you heard enough?”
“Hush,” Christy whispered, glaring at him.
He turned to the rest of the customers. “I am so sorry for that. The man is a drunkard and a fool.”
“I’ll say,” one gentleman rumbled. “Fenton, pay no heed. No one else has. Let me pay you for these.” He held up some books. Mr. Fenton looked about to throw the man out, so Christy jumped in and took them and his money.