They went to Jepsons' [in Hastings] ... Clary was taking ages over choosing which fountain pen she was going to buy.... "They're always squeaky and hard at first," Polly said. "You know you have to use the nib to get it good." "I know that. But if I get a wide nib now, it will probably get too wide, but the medium one doesn't feel as though it will ever get right." ... Clary licked each nib before she dipped the pen in a bottle of ink and scribbled her name on small pieces of paper on the counter. ... "It's very important to lick new nibs before you use them," Clary was saying [to the assistant], "but I expect you tell people that. Could I try that Waterman - the maroon one - just to see?" It cost twelve and six ... Clary tried pen after pen ...Clary said, "I'll have the Medium Relief." "That'll be seven and six," he said.