Egglen

The silver elephant
From the first time he saw her in the office where they both worked, Eric Warren liked Janet West. Eric rarely went out with giris from his office, but Janet was different. She was not only pretty, but extremely interesting to talk to. They had lunch together severaí times and Eric was pleased to learn that Janet liked the same things he did. Before very long, they werehaving dinner together, and going to the movies and to the theater. After a few months Eric knew he wanted Janet to be his wife, but he wasn't sure how she felt about him. There was another man in their office, George Perkins, who went out with Janet once in a while. Eric hoped in time he, not George, would be Janet 's choice as her husband.

Eric wanted a very unusual gift for Janet's birthday. Hewalked into a department store not knowing what to get for her. After going from one part of the store to another, he finally came to the jewelry department. At first, he didn't see anything he liked here either, and he was about to leave when he saw a little silver pin ín the shape of an elephant. Eric knew immediately that the pin was exactly what he wanted for Janet.

"May I see that?" Ericasked íhe salesman.
"The little sílver elephant?" the salesman asked.
"Yes, that's the one. It's just what I've been looking for."
"You've made a good choice. This piece of jewelry is very unusual. It was made in Mexico by a man who is well-known for his fine work in silver. There are only a few others like it. Would you like me to put it in a box? This small square box looks about the rightsize."
"Yes, please put it in a gift box."
"I'm certain Janet's going to be very pleased," Eric thought that evening as he got dressed to go to Janet's birthday party. "She likes fine jewelry and this pin is very unusual."

On the way to Janet's house, Eric thought about George Perkins. He knew that Janet's family and a few friends would be at the party. He didn't know if George was one of the"few friends." He was fairly sure George's gift wouldn't be anything as unusual as the silver elephant.

Eric was happy as he walked to Janet's house. When she opened the door he said, "Happy ..." and then stopped talking for a moment before going on," ... birthday, Janet." He just couldn't believe what he saw. There on Janet's green dress was a little silver elephant pin. It was exactly the sameas the one ¡n his gift box. He couldn't give it to her now. He put the little square box away before Janet could see it and went in the house to say hello to Janet's mother and father.

"You're early, Eric, Mrs. West said. "None of the others are here yet. Please sit down. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Not now, thanks, Mrs. West," Eric answered. All he could think about was the littlesilver elephant. He had to know where Janet had gotten it. Could George Perkins possibly have given it to her? At the office perhaps? Eric didn't want to believe this, but he wasn't the only one who knew Janet liked jewelry. George knew it, too.

Janet's mother was still talking and Eric knew he should be listening to her. He had to forget about the little pin for a moment.

"How are things at theoffice, Eric?" Mrs. West was saying. l understand you've been very busy during the last few months."
"Fine — just fine— not too busy, no," Eric said.
"That's good," Mrs. West answered. "Would you excuse us for a few minutes? I have to help Janet prepare a few things in the kitchen."
"Oh — yes," Eric was glad to see Mrs. West and Janet leave the room. He really didn't want to talk to anyone —not about the office or about anything else. But Janet's father was still there, and now he was talking.
"Have you seen this evening's newspaper yet, Eric?" Mr. West asked. "There is a good story about..."

Janet's father went on talking, but most of the time Eric wasn't listening. Occasionally he would say, "You're right, Mr. West," or "I think so, too," but he really wasn't sure what Janet's...