As he wandered through Overgait and Nethergait he noted that the shops looked prosperous. Although their windows were less elegantly dressed than those of Edinburgh's Princes Street, their prices for the goods on display were considerably lower. In the Wellgait he bought some twist tobacco for 3 1/2 pence per ounce, while wistfully eyeing Finest Old Highland Whisky at 16 shillings a gallon, Winter Claret at seven shillings and sixpence per dozen bottles and Invalid Port at 27 shillings per dozen quarts. Mrs Brook will be mortified to know how much more economically she could run our household, he thought, gleefully making a note of prices and handing over one shilling for a pound of her favourite tea to take back as a present. His wardrobe, or lack of it, was a subject of constant reproach from both Vince and Mrs Brook, which he scornfully dismissed, pleading lack of time for such trivialities. Now in an unprecedented burst of extravagance he marched into a gentlemen's outfitters and purchased a handsome tweed suit, two shirts and two pairs of cotton drawers.
