"Yes, you know—the fellow whom the Kaiser thought such a lot of. People said he might very likely supplant Griegenbach."
"I didn't dare look at you," Roland said to Muriel afterwards. "I couldn't have kept a straight face if I had."
"And what a bit of luck."
"It may save me a lot of unpleasantness later on."
"You're a wonderful boy."
They were saying good-night to each other on the landing, and Muriel, who slept on the second floor, was standing on the stairs, leaning over the banisters. Her words made Roland feel very brave and confident.
"And to think that you didn't expect me to notice that you had put your hair up!"
He meant it as a joking repartee to her compliment, but the moment after he had said it he felt frightened. They looked at each other and said nothing. There was a moment of chill, intense embarrassment, then Muriel gave a nervous laugh and, turning quickly, ran up to her bedroom.