"Now, don't tell me how much till I show you something!"
She drew him into the dining-room and pointed to the table where a wonderful dinner was waiting. "Look, Dearie, oysters to begin with, and later—beefsteak! Think of it! Beefsteak! And, look—those flowers! Just to celebrate the occasion! I was so sure you'd get it! And, now, Dearie, tell me—how much did they appreciate you?"
Skinner was swept off his feet by her enthusiasm. He threw caution to the winds—that is, after he'd made a lightning calculation. It would n't cost any more, so why be a "piker"?
"Ten dollars," he said with affected quiet.
Honey came over to Dearie, flung her arms around his neck, put her head on his shoulder, and looking up into his face, with eyes brimming with happiness, sighed, "Dearie, I'm so happy! So happy for you!"
And Skinner felt that the lie was justified. He put his hand up and pressed her glossy head close to his breast and looking over her shoulder winked solemnly at the wall!
"And now, Dearie," said Honey, when they were seated at the table, "tell me! You actually bearded that old pig in his pen—my hero?"
"Eh-huh!"
"You told him you wanted a raise?"
"Eh-huh!"