She returned to her bench, her face showing all
theunhappiness that had suddenly overtaken her.
Have something I want to giveyou, so be sure and
wait. But I dont want youto mention his name to anybody yet, she added.
Oh, there are no other girls as nice as you. Her
tone implied that he might be intruding.
I am invited and I wish now that I wasgoing.
Eventhe furniture remained the same jumble that it had always been. Itmight be true,
as he said, that an unescapable invitation had comeup which necessitated all
this.
And he now achieved an intensity which to her was
quitecompelling. If youd like to go, you might go along with us overthere. There are
lots ofpeople who dont think Im very pretty.
I am invited and I wish now that I
wasgoing.
But youre not going to be mad at me again,are you?
She was toying with a large Spanish comb in her hair forthe moment and smiling. Did
you have a good time last night, dear?
The papers here always say such sillythings. He
had, as she hadalways thought, the look of a tired and defeated man. You have to be
nice to everybody, youknow. Well, anyhow,they were giving a dance and they wanted me
to take them overbecause Gil couldnt go. Some friends of Freddies aregiving a big
affair over in Schenectady New Years Eve, though.
Im just crazy about riding,tennis, swimming,
motor-boating, aqua-planing. Ive got something I want to give you, sodont feel too
bad. But Ill see you on the Fonda carto-morrow if I dont. There must be some other
and better waythan that, surely. And your cousin Bella and my brother Stuart and
Grant and Bertineare going.
ButI dont want to stay over there either later than
Christmas night. You know I couldnt help thatother, honey, but Ill be on hand
Tuesday, sure, he returned. But, oh, the happy evening she hadplanned! The only
reason Im hereto-night is because I thought I might see you again. But youre not
going to be mad at me again,are you? Im going to-morrow, butIll be back before New
Years.
Did you have a good time last night, dear? Im just
crazy about riding,tennis, swimming, motor-boating, aqua-planing.
His continued love was far more vital than any
present.
The light tripping feet became walking ones.