Page:Claire Ambler (1928).djvu/244

 to ask her when he might continue his narrative. He meant to "cut in," and hovered in the offing, waiting to do so; whereupon, finding herself swept near a door, she said hurriedly, "That's all; I'm going home," slid from her partner's arms and out into the hallway. But just as she effected this evasion, Miss Kitty Peale dancing near her with Walter, was claimed, and left him for another.

Kitty somewhat recklessly allowed it to become evident that she was reluctant to make the exchange, and as she was borne onward her eyes lingered upon her previous partner.

"Don't forget," she called sweetly. "Eight-thirty to-night."

And Claire, as she went toward the outer door of the apartment, heard Walter's response, a single word: "Forget?"

The incredulity he expressed was sufficient.

"Idiot!" Claire said reminiscently, as she waited for the elevator; and when she had reached her own apartment, and, after a dexterous avoidance of her mother, was in her own room, she said "Idiot!" again.

She looked at a little clock of lapus lazuli and gold upon a table, and sat down before a mirror to remove