Next she opened a box and took from it a picture hat, with long jet plumes, which she stroked and pressed fondly against her face.

There were other garments also--a silken petticoat, silk stockings, and a pair of high-heeled shoes to match, with certain other delicate and dainty things which she modestly forbore to inspect before the Frenchman, who said no word, but only gazed at her, and for whom she had no eyes as yet.

Finally she laid her presents aside, and, turning to him, said, in a hushed, awe-stricken voice: "It's all there, everything complete! Oh, Poleon--you dear, dear Poleon!" She took his two big hands by the thumbs, as had been her custom ever since she was a child, and looked up at him, her eyes wet with emotion.

But she could not keep away from the dress for long, and returned to feast her eyes upon it, the two children standing beside her, sprouting out of their rubber boots, with eyes and mouths round and protruding.
"You lak' it, eh ?" pressed Poleon, hungry for more demonstrative expression.
"Oh-h," she sighed, "can't you SEE?
Where on earth did you get it ?" Then suddenly realizing its value, she cried, "Why, it must have cost a fortune!" A quick reproach leaped into her face, but he only laughed again.
"Wan night I gamble in beeg saloon.

Yes, sir! I gamble good dat night, too.