"Oh, lots of things. I went through numerous phases. Timepieces, snuff boxes, stamps, antique necklaces, bottle caps, coins. I'm embarrassed to say I even collected those ugly little Hummel figurines for a while, until they became too much of a clutter. But, as I've said, I have little connection to such suffocating materialisms these days."
Which was to say that Bill was trying to make more of a connection to the living than to objects of superficial value.
Bill scratched the side of his nose and admired the various items on the shelves and in the cases.
"Your store would make for excellent gifts. I regret, though, that I will probably not buy anything. The last time I bought a gift for someone it did ... not turn out well."