Fanny clasped her hands in delight.
"Oh, you're too good!" she exclaimed gratefully.
"Hush!" he said in an undertone. "It's for the kid! I'm very fond of her!" After a pause he added: "Besides, she's named for Virgie!" Turning to Jimmie, he asked: "How does the idea strike you?"
"What idea?" demanded the father, who had not been listening.
"I've just made your little daughter—a present of an auto—"
"What make is it?"
The question came so spontaneously and was so characteristic of the man that Stafford burst into a roar of merriment. As soon as he had regained his composure he said:
"It's a—"
He was about to tell him the make when, realizing the colossal impudence of the question, he stopped short and burst into laughter. "You're always there, aren't you? Honest, Jimmie, you give me many a laugh! Don't change your disposition or I'll never forgive you!"
"I didn't know I was so funny!" said the clerk resentfully, quite at a loss to see humor in the situation.