cuffs and a monogram on the
sleeve! Fancy "fixin's" like this, Buddy confessed, he had always
associated with womenfolks, but if Gray wore them there could be
nothing disgraceful, nothing effeminate about the practice. There was a
decided thrill in the prospect of possessing such finery, all initialed
with huge, silken O. B's. Life was presenting wholly novel and exciting
possibilities to the youth.

When Gray offered him a cigarette, Buddy rudely took the gold case out
of his hand and examined it, then he laughed in raucous delight.

"Gosh! I never knew men had _purty_ things. I--I'm goin' to get me one
like that."

"Do you like it?"

"Gee! It's _swell_!"

"Good! I'll make you a present of it."

Buddy stared at the speaker in speechless surprise. "What--what for?"
he finally stammered.

"Because you admire it."

"Why--it's solid gold, ain't it?"

"To be sure."

"How much d'it cost?"

"My dear fellow," Gray protested, "you shouldn't ask questions like
that. You embarrass me."

Buddy examined the object anew, then he inquired, "Say, why'd you offer
to gimme this?"

"I've just told you." Gray was becoming impatient. "It is a custom in
some countries to present an object to one who is polite enough to
admire it."

"Nobody never give _me_ a present," Buddy said. "Not one that I wanted.
I never had _nothing_ that I didn't have to have and couldn't get along
without. This cigareet case is worth more 'n all the stuff I ever
owned, an' I'm sure obliged to you." He replaced the article in Gray's
hand.

"Eh? Won't you accept it? Why not?"

"I--Oh, I dunno."

Gray pondered this refusal for a moment before saying, "Perhaps you
think I'm--trying to make a good impression on you, so you'll buy some
diamonds?"

"Mebbe." Buddy averted his eyes. He was in real distress.

"Um-m! I ought to punch your head." Gray slipped the case into young
Briskow's pocket. "I don't have to bribe people. Some day you'll
realize that I like you."

"_Honest?_"

"Cross my heart."

The boy laughed in frank delight, his brown cheeks colored, his eyes
sparkled. "Gosh!" said he. "I--like _you!_" For some time thereafter he
remained red and silent, but he kept one big hand in the pocket where
lay the gold cigarette case. There was a wordless song in Buddy
Briskow's heart, for--he had made a friend. And such a friend!

The Briskow children possessed each other's fullest confidence, hence
Ozark took the first occasion to show his