panicky little giggle.

[Illustration: For a second it looked like Gladys was goin' to freeze
with horror; but she just gives Valentina the once-over and indulges in
a panicky little giggle.]

Of the two of 'em, I will say that Valentina takes it easier, for that
dinner dress of Miss Prentice's must have jarred her some. But
Valentina only stares for a minute, and then manages to work up one of
them friendly smiles.

Warrie don't get any of this by-play at all. Soon as he's through
shootin' orders to the waiter, he turns to Valentina. "Well, well!"
says he enthusiastic. "This is a treat. Did you come up by train or
steamer?"

"Schooner," says Valentina. "You know all that cypress you saw 'em
yankin' out of the swamp back of the Point? Well, suh, it's lumber
now, every stick. Sold, too. That's what me and pop came up for."

"You don't say!" says Warrie. "How much?"

"Near nine thousand," says she.

"Whe-e-e-ew!" says Warrie. "Now I suppose you'll be moving into Tampa."

"No," says Valentina; "we're fixin' to buy another swamp."

Then they both laughed, like it was some huge joke.