sprang after him, much as a tame rabbit thumps its feet upon the
ground in an effort to bluff a kitten.

The volunteer salesman spread out his dazzling wares upon the
patchwork counterpane, then stepped back to observe the effect. Ma
Briskow's hands fluttered toward the gems, then reclasped
themselves in her lap; she bent closer and regarded them fixedly.
The Juno-like daughter also stared down at the display with
fascination.

After a moment Allegheny spoke, and her speaking voice was in
pleasing contrast to the nasal notes of that interrupted song.
"Are them _real_ di'mon's?" she queried, darkly.

"Oh yes! And most of them are of very fine quality."

"Pa never told us a word," breathed the mother. "He's _allus_ up
to some trick."

"Please examine them. I want you to look them all over," Gray
urged.

Mrs. Briskow acted upon this invitation only after she had dried
her hands, and then with trepidation. Gingerly, reverently she
removed a ring from its resting place and held it up to the light.
"My! Ain't it sparkly?" she gasped, after an ecstatic pause.

Again the girl spoke, her eyes fixed defiantly upon Gray. "You
could fool us easy, 'cause we never saw _real_ di'mon's. We've
allus been too pore."