"I'm sorry. I'm going Wednesday night."

He looked downcast over that, and he was curious, too. But he made
no comment save:

"Well, better luck next time."

"Just imagine," said Nina. "She's going with Dick Livingstone. Can
you imagine it?"

But Wallace Sayre could and did. He had rather a stricken moment,
too. Of course, there might be nothing to it; but on the other hand,
there very well might. And Livingstone was the sort to attract the
feminine woman; he had gravity and responsibility. He was older too,
and that flattered a girl.

"He's not a bit attractive," Nina was saying. "Quiet, and--well, I
don't suppose he knows what he's got on."

Wallie was watching Elizabeth.

"Oh, I don't know," he said, with masculine fairness. "He's a good
sort, and he's pretty much of a man."

He was quite sure that the look Elizabeth gave him was grateful.

He went soon after that, keeping up an appearance of gaiety to the
end, and very careful to hope that Elizabeth would enjoy the play.