"A Dever!" ejaculated Nellie Holmes, in mildly scandalized tones. "Well, I never!"
It did seem rather ridiculous. Stillman's personality somehow didn't fit the office. But the incident gave a touch of forced gaiety to the occasion—a peg on which to hang the jester's cloak.
Claire and Miss Proll and Nellie Holmes went down first to the car, Mrs. Condor and Stillman followed.
When Lily Condor reached the curb Claire leaned out to her farewell embrace.
"Claire ... Claire ... how foolish we've all been!"
"How foolish we are still," Claire whispered back. "Thank God for that!..."
Presently they were off. The yellow street-lamps seemed to Claire to be melting into a continuous ribbon of gold. She had expected to succumb to all manner of emotions and vivid thoughts, but instead her mind seized upon a childish memory.
"Once upon a time," she thought, "there lived in a certain city...." Stillman was looking at her.... "And there came riding through the streets a prince.... And so they were married and.... How foolish we are still.... Thank God for that.... Thank God for that!"
"Come!" Stillman was saying. "We have arrived."