“Good-night!” exclaimed David.
“They are just regular girls,” said Dulcie. “Of course, being princesses has its drawbacks, but they have had lots of good times, even so.
“Well, while we were talking a couple of men-servants came in with this chest. It was for me, from Prince Hata. The girls evidently expected it, for they hopped up and clapped their hands, and in came a couple of maids carrying a whole outfit of Japanese ceremonial robes. Everything a princess would wear at court.
“Then the older princess brought a square box, and said, ‘This is from mother,’ and there was a jeweled headdress.
“They had me take off my dress, and the two maids dressed me up in everything. Daddy, I looked too grand! I’m going to give a Japanese party just as soon as we get back. And we’d better put in a Japanese garden for it. You can radio that big landscape man. He’ll know how to make one.”
Mr. Hammond sighed. “The parent pays,” he paraphrased sadly.
Dulcie ignored that.
“When you see everything, you won’t blame me for bringing it along.” She opened the chest, which smelled pungently of mysterious perfumes, and one by one lifted out the priceless garments and the wonderful headdress.
“Museum pieces, every one,” declared Doctor Trigg.
“I don’t know what to say to all this,” said Mr. Hammond.