Best to keep his mind on St.-George. Only the rat-pole prevented Jack from losing him. Though it helped that people were always running out of shops, or shouting from windows, trying to engage his services. The only people who could afford to keep fixed shops were members of a few princely trades, viz. makers of dresses, hats, and wigs. But St.-George treated all men alike, asking them a series of penetrating questions and then firmly sending them home. 'Even noblemen and savants are as peasants in their understanding of rats,' St.-George said incredulously. 'How can I be of service to them when their thinking is so pre-theoretical?'