She was determined to draw her unhappy visitor from his shell. But
her most brilliant efforts were in vain. Poor Shock remained
hopelessly engaged with his hands and feet, and replied at
unexpected places, in explosive monosyllables at once ludicrous and
disconcerting. Not even The Don, who came to her assistance, could
relieve the awkwardness of the situation. Shock was too large to be
ignored, and too unwieldy to be adjusted.

After a few minutes of hopeless endeavour The Don gave up the
attempt and rose to go, saying: "You will need to excuse us. We are
due at a meeting to-night. Come along, Brown."

The alacrity which Shock displayed in getting upon his feet gave
abundant testimony to the agony he had been suffering during the
last half hour.

"Yes, we must be off," said Brown, far more eager to go than was his
wont.

"Will you not come again?" said Betty to Shock, as she shook hands
with him. "My mother would be glad to see you."

But Shock could only look at her blankly, evidently wondering what
her mother might wish to see him for, and when Betty tried to
extract a promise from him he muttered something about being "far
behind in his work and very busy."

But Betty was not to be baulked.