"It's wonderful!" she cried.
Her pleasure put to flight the old inventor's last compunction at his compromise with truth.
"I am so pleased, Mr. Morton!" she went on. "You are quite sure there was no expense."
"Nothing to speak of. I'm glad you like it," murmured the young man.
"Indeed I do!"
She stretched the band of white leather round her waist and Bob noticed how easily its clasp met.
"There!" exclaimed she, raising her hand in mocking imitation of a military salute, "isn't that fine?"
Willie laughed with involuntary admiration at the gesture, and as for Robert Morton he could have gone down on his knees before her and kissed her diminutive white shoe.
The girl did not prolong the tableau. All too soon she relaxed from rigidity into gaiety and came flitting to the work bench.
"What are you doing, Willie dear?" she asked. "You know you never have secrets from me. What is this marvellous thing you are busy with?"