ting souvenirs."

* * * * *

As a crowning touch, a climax long imagined, plotted and hilariously
enjoyed in prospect, he next produced, before the bewildered eyes of
Snorky Green, what in school-day parlance is known as a Trophy of
Trophies; an incredible, amazing, inexplicable thing, a tasseled,
beribboned, pink and white bed cap! Snorky made a feeble gesture or two
and then lay down to signify that the shock had killed him.

"Skippy! What does that mean?"

"This also is a thing I cannot discuss," said Skippy, whose fondest
imaginings were outdone by reality.

"Any more?" said Snorky, struggling weakly upward.

"That's all," said Skippy, who was gazing contentedly at the imposing
collection. But all at once he reflected: "Hello, where in the deuce did
I put her?"

He pretended to search through his trunk and valise in great concern
until, Snorky's curiosity having been properly awakened, he suddenly
struck his forehead.

"Of course. How silly of me!"

And diving into his inner pocket he brought forth a last tribute,
encased in neat pink morocco, which he arranged in the unmistakable
position of honor.

Snorky approached on tenterhooks. The next moment he burst out: "Mimi!"

"What, you know her!" said Skippy, surprised in turn. "Rather cute
little thing."

"Look!"

On Snorky's bureau in the same place of honor was an identical
photograph, a little Japanese brunette, with a descending puff and an
ascending nose. They stood staring at each other, and the temperature of
the room seemed to recede towards the freezing point.

"When did you meet her? How long have you known her, and how the deuce
did you get her photo?" said Snorky, with blazing eyes.

Skippy was in a quandary. A false step might tumble about him the
glorious fabric of his new reputation. He went to his bureau and
thoughtfully considered the pink morocco case stolen from his sister's
collection. Revenge had been sweet, yet the impulse was still on him. He
decided that a quick conquest would be the more galling to a rival's
pride.

"Oh, we waltzed about a bit, but I gave her an awful rush."

Snorky went and sat down in a corner, elbows on his knees, his chin in
his hands. Seeing thus the wreck he had caused, Skippy began to be
troubled by his conscience. Suppose it really was a serious affair.
Wouldn't it be nobler to surrender the fictitious conquest to his
beloved friend, to adopt a sacrificial attitude