The girls were coming back, and suddenly, to Roland's surprise, embarrassment and annoyance, Howard walked forward and raised his hat.
"Lonely?" he said.
"Same as you."
"Like a walk, then?"
"All right, if your friend's not too shy."
And before Roland could make any protest he was walking, tongue-tied and helpless, on the arm of a full-blown shop-girl.
"Well, you're a cheerful sort of chap, aren't you?" she said at last.
"Sorry, but you see I wasn't expecting you!"
"Oh, she didn't turn up, I suppose?"