"Oh," said Noel urgently. "You must stay and see her put it on."
Both ladies laughed at the boyish exclamation, and Alex flushed scarlet once more.
Noel opened the case and looked proudly at his gift.
"You must put it on for her," said his mother, "when it's been made smaller."
The hint was unmistakable.
Noel held out the ring.
"Let's see it on now at once, Alex. It can go back to the shop later."
Alex, in a sort of utter desperation, thrust out her hand, and Noel, politely and carefully avoiding touching it with his own, slipped the heavy hoop over her finger.
"Thank you," she stammered.
There was another laugh.