She stooped, pulled up her skirt, revealing a plump calf, and in a flash had pulled out a tiny combined mirror and powder-puff from the top of her stocking. She had no other pocket.
Williams did not utter a sound. He only kept his pale grey eyes fixed gleamingly upon her.
“Are you shocked?” Elsie giggled. “I didn’t ought to, I suppose, but really it’s hard to know what else to do.”
She peeped into the tiny looking-glass. “Isn’t it pretty!”
“You are,” said Williams awkwardly. “How are you going to thank me, Elsie?”
He always seemed to take pleasure in repeating her name.
“How do you suppose?”
“You know what I’d like.”
He came nearer to her, and put his hands upon her shoulders. Although Elsie was short, he was very little taller.
She shut her eyes and put her head back, her exposed throat throbbing visibly. She could feel his breath upon her face, when suddenly she ducked her head, twisting out of his grasp, and cried wildly: