He nodded. "I always find fings," he said.

Beyond that I could get nothing out of him. I have not often sat
out with a more embarrassing partner. To be continually stared at
and never spoken to would, I think, make the boldest woman shy.
There was a stolidity about Thomas that promised well for
England's future. There was a steady resistance from attack that
was really admirable; but I was not altogether sorry when Fraulein
pounced upon him. As she led him off I heard him say, "Parties do
last a long time, don't they, Leilein?"

Having lost Thomas, I sought a new partner. A tall, fair girl
with wide, gray eyes, a pink-and-white complexion, a beautiful
mouth, and a delicately refined nose, interested me, as I imagine
she has continued to do every one who has met her. She reminded
me of spring, with birds singing and flowers flowering and trees
bursting, just as Diana does. As it was quite the correct thing
for girls to dance with one another, I made so bold as to ask her
for a dance. With the timidity of a boy just out of Etons, or
perhaps I should say, of a shy boy just out of Etons, I approached
her. "Right-o," she said, "let's see."

She puckered her penciled eyebrows and studied her program. "The
third after the two next?"

She bowed gravely, and I said, "Thank you." I felt very young and
inexperienced as I returned the bow.

"That's all right," she said. "Where shall I find you? It