"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