"I shall be delighted to have your company," she responded, frankly
meeting his eyes, "but longer delay will probably make us late, and I
abominate that."

As they passed down the steps to the street Winston caught a glimpse of
the others. They were all intently gazing after them, while Mooney had
even risen to his feet and taken a step forward, his cigar still in his
mouth. Then the group behind laughed loudly, and the younger man set
his teeth, his cheeks flushed from sudden anger. He would have enjoyed
dashing back up the steps, and giving those grinning fools a
much-needed lesson, but he glanced aside at his companion, her eyes
downcast, seemingly utterly unconscious of it all, and gripped himself,
walking along beside her, erect and silent. They traversed the entire
deserted block without speaking, each busied indeed with the
intricacies of the board walk. Then Winston sought to break the
somewhat embarrassing silence, his first words sounding strangely
awkward and constrained.

"It was exceedingly kind of you to grant such privilege when we have
scarcely even spoken to each other before."

She glanced aside at his grave face, a certain coquettish smile making
her appear suddenly girlish.

"Possibly if you realized the exact cause of my complete surrender you
might not feel so highly flattered," she confessed, shyly.

"Indeed! You mean why it was you consented so easily? Then possibly
you had better inform me at once, for I acknowledge feeling quite
conceited already at my good fortune."