I always buy ready-made boots and insist on taking those which the
shopman says are much too large for me. By this means I keep free from
corns, but I have a great deal of trouble generally with the shopman. I
had got on a pair once which I thought would do, and the shopman said for
the third or fourth time:
“But really, sir, these boots are much too large for you.” I turned to
him and said rather sternly, “Now, you made that remark before.”
There was nothing in it, but all at once I became aware that I was being
watched, and, looking up, saw a middle-aged gentleman eyeing the whole
proceedings with much amusement. He was quite polite but he was
obviously exceedingly amused. I can hardly tell why, nor why I should
put such a trifle down, but somehow or other an impression was made upon
me by the affair quite out of proportion to that usually produced by so
small a matter.