"Have you some medical training, then?" he says. "It would seem that your own experiences in that area have been a bit more exotic than my own," and I smile a little.

"I was a surgeon," I say, glancing reflexively at my hands. "I spent most of my time in a rather small town, but I did have the chance to visit New London on occasion... I suppose I could still manage some of the simpler aspects of the work, but there is little call for that here. There is quite a skilled physician in town, you know." For the moment; I really should see if I can do something about that this year.

I balance the cup on a saucer in one hand and start back out with a measured pace. The cup is not as full as one might like, but it does not spill, and I set it down on the counter as I make my way back into the store proper. "Not at present, though I do intend to browse your selections most thoroughly. Actually, it was a rather different sort of work I came here for," and he lifts the case he was carrying. "I had hopes that I could contract your services in binding a number of important loose pages into a book for safekeeping. Do you ever do that sort of thing?"

"Well," and I realize I am blinking a little. It is a reasonable question, certainly, only... "I have certainly done repairs, and have rebound books on occasion," I say, exploring the possibility. "I imagine I certainly could... is there a uniformity to the pages?" It is easier to address the particulars. "I am sure it could be done if not, but if it's a matter of binding sheets of different sizes and substances together, it's best to know at the beginning."

I have worked with my hands, and I certainly imagine I could do the work. I have just... I really must say I have never thought of myself as a tradesman.