I quickened my steps.

"I say, have you got a match?"

A girl's voice.

"That's about the worst thing you could have said." said I.

"Why?"

"Because a match is the one thing I've been wanting for the last
four hours."

"Sorry. Swear for me, will you?"

"Certainly, madam. What sort of an oath would you like? We have
a very large assortment in stock- fresh lot in only this
afternoon. Let me see. Now, I've got a very nice thing in
oaths- "

"I want a round one."

"Round? Certainly. And the usual black, I presume. We have
been doing rather a lot in the way of blue oaths lately. No?
Damn. How do you like that, madam?"

"That'll do."

"Much obliged to you, madam. Sign, please. Nothing else I can