"O messenger from Heaven!" he cried, more hopefully. "Would it
appear presumptuous if I asked you, in return for this favor, to
select the very prettiest gown in this shop for your very own?"

The offer was refused pleasantly, but firmly. "I'd be paid ten
times over by the fun of spending oodles of money even if it were
not my own. But would they consent to have a stranger--?"

"If you will permit a tiny deceit, I'm sure they will. I shall
burden my conscience with a white lie and pretend that you are a
friend to whose judgment I have appealed. My poor conscience is
scandalously overburdened, but--that girl is suffering!"

"I thought they must have struck oil. I've seen others like them."

Without further ado, Gray hurried his new acquaintance back to the
dress department, then, in his easiest manner, introduced her to
the Briskows. She flashed him a look of amusement as he glibly
made her known as "Miss Good." He had invited Miss Good to join
their picnic immediately upon hearing that Ma and Allie were
coming to Dallas, and she had been overjoyed. Miss Good, as they
could see, possessed unerring good taste, but what was more, she
had a real genius for finding bargains. As a bargain hunter Miss
Good was positively unique.

Ma Briskow pricked up her ears at this, soon she and the newcomer
had their heads together, and within a few minutes Gray realized
that his experiment was a success. The stranger possessed
enthusiasm, but it was coupled with common sense, and before her