Humphrey found a good deal to do in his garden, and worked away busily for some time; he then assisted Dolly to turn the mangle, and bottled some soap-suds for future bubble blowing. He also informed her of the honor in store for her at the Harvest Home, and anxiously asked her what gown she meant to wear on the occasion. She must be very smart, he said, awfully smart! Dolly confided her intention of investing in a new print dress, and consulted him as to the color.
Casting his thoughts back to the smartest thing he had lately seen, they reverted to the cigar-case, and he suggested crimson and gold.
Dolly looked rather scared, and expressed her doubts as to the probability of those colors being found in any print sold in the village.
"Yellow would do, you know," said Humphrey, "and it would be like the corn."
So Dolly promised to try and procure a yellow print, with a red stripe or spot; and, if that were impossible, a plain yellow one could no doubt be found.
Time slipped by very quickly, but still Humphrey rather wondered at last that no one should call him in to his tea; and after a while he put his tools away, and wished Dolly good-bye.
He gathered a few young radishes for a treat for Miles, and then ran home.
He was surprised to find the nursery door locked, and began to kick it.
"Miles!" he called out, "I've brought you some radishes. Ouvrez, Virginie, c'est moi!"