"I'd marry Mary if she'd 'ave me 'n I hadn't got a wife."
"Shut up!"
Tom broke into a laugh.
"Don't go back on me, Tom."
"Never, s'elp me bob."
"Get a move on then, and arrange that whist."
He sent him off with the Barrack Hack. And then he watched Mary. She still was walking with Mr. Blessington. They were not dancing. She knew Jack was watching her, and she was nervous. He watched her more closely.
And at the third window she fluttered, staggered a little, let go Mr. Blessington's arm, and turned round to gather up her skirt behind. She pretended she had torn a hem. She pretended she couldn't move without a pin. She asked to be steered into the alcove. She sent Mr. Blessington away into the ladies' dressing-room, for a pin.
And when he came back with it, she was gone.
Jack, outside in the night, was questioning her.