"Oh, he had to go. He sent an apology to you and all the party."
"Did he tell you why he had to go?"
"No," said Eugene, regarding her with covert attention.
"It's a pity if he's unaccountable. I like him so much otherwise."
"You don't like unaccountable people?"
Claudia seemed quite willing to let Stafford drop out of the conversation.
"No," she said; "I tolerate you, Mr. Lane, because I always know exactly what you'll do."
"Do you?" he asked, only moderately pleased. A man likes to be thought a little mysterious. No doubt Claudia knew that.
"I don't think you know what I am going to do now."
"What?"