She is going to 'do us all proud.'" As soon as he was alone Gray eagerly reread his telegram from Wichita Falls.

It was from Barbara Parker--the first, by the way, that he had ever received--and he smiled at the girl's effort to be thoroughly businesslike, and at the same time to convey the full urgency of her message.

Why had she economized on words when every one was precious to him?
Buy that well?
Of course he would, if she so earnestly desired it.
But what was better by far than the prospect of a profitable purchase was the fact of her personal interest in him.

When it came to the last line of her message, "Bob" had plunged into a ten-word riot of extravagance.
"The bird is darling.

I have named him after you." Gray wondered if these words really meant what they seemed to imply, or if it was merely her bubbling, enthusiasm that spoke.