Jump to content

Page:Keeban (IA keeban00balm).pdf/222

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
XVI
I WALK INTO A PARLOR.

Naturally I debated about opening the bag. She'd given me the key; she had told me to use it, "please!" to find her new toothbrush. But I didn't open it for that. She had meant, I thought, that I should see what I was carrying. So at last I unlocked it and in the light of the little berth lamp I came upon her own intimate attire—a kimono, slippers and silk pajamas, ridiculous little lovely things; stockings, some more gossamer silk which probably was what Field's advertise as an "envelope", a mirror, a brush, a manicure set. There was the new toothbrush and "This Freedom", and below the book, tied together, a pair of steel plates. After looking so far, I felt no harm in gazing further, especially at these.

One was engraved to print ten-dollar National Bank Notes; the other was good—or bad—for the denomination of a hundred. I'm no judge of engraving on steel but they looked like excellent plates to me.