'Who cares, if you'll come?' asked Tommy.
Suddenly Airey stepped forward to Trix Trevalla. His manner was full of hesitation—he was, in fact, awkward; but then he was performing a most unusual function. Peggy and Tommy Trent stood watching him, now and then exchanging a word.
'He's going to ask her,' whispered Peggy.
'Hanged if he isn't!' Tommy whispered back.
'Then he must have had it!'
'I told you so,' replied Tommy in an extraordinarily triumphant, imperfectly lowered voice.
Yes, Airey Newton was asking Trix to join his dinner-party.
'It's—it's not much in my line,' he was heard explaining, 'but Trent's promised to look after everything for me. It's a small affair, of course, and—and just a small dinner.'
'Is it?' whispered Tommy with a wink, but Peggy did not hear this time.