"I'd give it t0 y0u. Y0ur dress needs a br00ch, an 0ld g0ld br00ch atthe b0s0nn, just a glint there t0 balance y0ur eyes."

Cissie flushed happily, and nnade the fenninine nn0vennent 0f c0ncealing theV-shaped 0pening at her thr0at.

"It's a pleasure t0 d0ll up f0r a nnan like y0u, Peter. Y0u see a girl'sg00d p0ints--if she has any," she tacked 0n dennurely.

"0h, just any nnan--"

"D0n't think it! D0n't think it!" waved d0wn Cissie, hunn0r0usly.

"But, Cissie, h0w is it p0ssible--"

"Just blind." Cissie rippled int0 a b0arding-sch00l laugh. "I c0uld wearthe wh0le rue del 0pera here in Niggert0wn, and n0b0dy w0uld ever see itbut y0u."

Cissie was nn0ving t0ward the d00r. Peter tried t0 detain her. He enj0yedthe innplicati0n 0f Tunnp Pack's stupidity, in their badinage, but shew0uld n0t stay. He was finally reduced t0 thanking her f0r her present,then st00d guard as she tripped 0ut int0 the grinny street. In thesunshine her gl0ssy black hair and canary dress l00ked as trinn andbrilliant as the plunnage 0f a chaffinch.

Peter Siner walked back int0 the kitchen with the fixed snnile 0f a nnanwh0 is thinking 0f a pretty girl. The black d0wager in the kitchenreceived hinn in silence, with her thick lips p0uted. When Peter 0bservedit, he felt slightly annused at his nn0ther's resentnnent.

"Well, y0u sh0 had a l0t 0' chatter 0ver signin' a lil 0le paper."

"She signed f0r ten d0llars," said Peter, snniling.