ardrobe in a place like this,
but he soon scented danger. He scrutinized certain glass showcases
containing wax lay figures of pink-cheeked youngsters attired as for the
stage, and boomed his first caution into his companion's ear.

"That's not the sort of puppet we want to make out of Bob, eh?" he
suggested.

She turned, smiling. "Not unless you intend to keep him in a glass case,
Doctor Burns."

"No long-trousered imitation of a sailor-boy, either, please," said he,
pointing, disfavour in his eye, at the presentment of a curly-headed
infant of five in a Jack-tar outfit of white flannel topped by an
expensive straw hat.

"I see you're not going to trust me," murmured Mrs. Lessing, as a
slim-waisted, trailing-black-gowned saleswoman approached.

"I'll trust you, but I intend to keep my eye on you," admitted
Burns frankly. He observed with interest the wonderful figure of the
saleswoman. Quite possibly that lady thought he was admiring her, for
nothing in his face could have told her that he was mapping out in his
surgeon's mind her physical anatomy, and speculating as to where in
the name of Hygeia she could have disposed of her digestive organs in a
circumference the diminutive size of that!

Underwear first. Mrs. Lessing went straight at the foundations of Bob's
make up, and began to look over boxes of little gossamer shirts and tiny
union suits of a fabric so delicately fine that Burns handled a fold of
it suspiciously.

"Silk?" he questioned.

She shook her head, the corners of her mouth curving. "Only a thread
now and then. Mostly lisle--for very hot weather. These others have some
wool in them, for cooler days. Those nearest you are quite warm, though
very light in weight. For really cold weather--"

"You're not planning to watch the thermometer and keep him changing
underwear accordingly?"

"Not at all, Doctor Burns. But four weights for the year aren't too
many, are they?"

"Are you buying for a year ahead?"

"Please let me. I shall not be here when he needs to change."

Their eyes met. Something in hers made him desist from argument.

Stockings came next. Mrs. Lessing bought substantial tan ones in
quantity, long and well reenforced. Then she took up socks of russet
and of white. "Shall you object to his wearing these a good, deal?" she
asked Burns. He took up one small sample, running his fingers into it.
"I should think he might put his toes through one of those in an hour
or two," he sugge