She hated to sit on here, visibly alone, and yet there was small
object in going back to the absorbed groups nearer the house.

Then came the miracle. For as she uncomfortably waited, Ward's
friend, the queer man with the black eyes and thick hair, suddenly
took the seat beside her. Nina's heart gave a plunge, for if she
was ill at ease with "kids" like Harry and Joshua, how much less
could she manage a conversation with the lion of the hour! But
Royal Blondin needed no help from Nina.

"You're little Miss Carter, aren't you?" he said. "We were
introduced, back there, but there were too many young men around
you then for me to get a word in! However, I was watching you--I
wonder if you know why I've been watching you all afternoon?"

Nina cleared her throat, and gave one fleeting upward glance at
the dark and earnest eyes.

"I'm sure I don't know why any one should watch me!" she tried to
say. But everything after the first three words was lost in the
ruffles of the white gown.

"I'll tell you why. I watched you because, from the moment I saw
you, I said to myself, 'if that little girl isn't utterly wretched
and out of her element, among all these shallow chatterers and
gigglers, I'm mistaken!' I saw the lads gather about you, and I
had my little laugh--you must forgive me!--at the quiet little way
you evaded them all. Nice boys, all of them! But not worth YOUR
while!"