Instantly his eager eyes sought Ruth, but she did not look up as he passed.
He unceremoniously took his seat beside Annette, to the indignation of little Jimmy Reed. It was hard to accept Carter's patronizing tolerance, but a certain curve to his eyebrows and the turn of his head served as perpetual reminders of Ruth.
Annette greeted Sandy effusively. She had found Jimmy entirely too limber a foil to use with any degree of skill, and she knew from past experience that Sandy and Carter were much better matched. If Sid Gray had been there also, she would have been quite happy. In Annette's estimation it was all a mistake about love being a game for two.
"Who was your stylish friend?" she asked Sandy.
"Ricks Wilson," said Sandy, shortly.
Carter smiled condescendingly. "Your old business partner, I believe?"
"Before he was yours," said Sandy.
This was not at all to Annette's taste. They were not even thinking about her.
"How m-many dances do you want for to-night?" she asked Sandy.
"The first four."