He held the poke open while she poured the nuggets back.  “I like them plain,” she said, “but I never saw any made up.  I leave it to you.”

“Then I make it emeralds to match the Green, and mebbe a few sparklers thrown in.”  He laughed gayly and, taking her arm, drew her back across the room to the open trunk; when she was seated again in the armchair, he knelt to remove the first layer of tissue packing.  She took the precaution to spread one smooth sheet of it on her lap and, leaning forward, saw him uncover the plume, the entire hat.  “Gracious goodness!” she exclaimed tremulously, as he lifted it awkwardly to her eager hands, “ain’t it splendid?  I didn’t know they were making them like this.  I never saw such roses; why, they look alive and ready to smell; and ain’t they pretty fixed this way under the brim?” She paused, turning the masterpiece slowly, like a connoisseur.  “I bet I could have worn it when I was in Oregon.  It would have been my style.  Do you suppose”—­she glanced at Banks timidly—­“I’d dare to try it if my hair was done real nice, and I had on a better dress?”

“My, yes.”  Banks laughed again excitedly, and with growing confidence opened the next compartment to display the chiffon gown.  “Wait till you get this on.  You’ll be a sight.  You always was in pink.”  He paused to take the hat and, wheeling, placed it on the old dresser, and so made room for the frock on her lap.  “Now, ain’t that soft and peachy and—­and rich?”

But Annabel was silent.  She lifted her eyes from the gown to Johnny, and they were full of mist.  Then her lip quivered, and a drop splashed down on the delicate fabric.  “My gracious!” she cried in consternation and, rising, held the gown off at arm’s-length.  “Do you suppose it’s going to spot?”

And Banks’ laugh piped once more.  “I guess it can stand a little salt water,” he replied.  “But if it can’t, we can get a duplicate.  And now you just take your time and pick out what you want to wear.  I am going up the bench to look around and find Dave’s springs.  It’ll likely take me an hour or so, and you can be ready to start soon’s I get back.”

“Start?” she repeated.  “Was you counting on going somewhere?”

“My, yes.  I was counting on taking you a little spin down to Wenatchee the first thing, and having a chicken dinner to the hotel.  Then, soon’s we get a license and hunt up a sky man, we are going to run down to Oregon and have a look at the old Corners.”

“I never rode in an automobile,” she said, glowing, “but I think I’d like it fine.”

“I bet you will.  I bet, coming home, you’ll be running the machine yourself half the time.”