“Oh, Pem!” she said coaxingly. “Just this once! Come in and speak to the boys, and if you don’t like them—”
“No!” said Pem.
But she did, and, by doing so, she changed the course of three lives.
She had no intention of seeing Nickie’s friends. In fact, she came nearer to quarreling with Nickie than she had ever yet come, and she retired to her own room with flushed cheeks and a frown on her calm brow. She was not in the habit of losing her temper, and this unusual annoyance disturbed her. She was restless, and couldn’t settle down to read or sew.
Her neat little room seemed all at once too neat and too little, and she wanted to get out of it. It was a clear, fine night. A walk, even a solitary and aimless one, wouldn’t be bad. She had put on her hat and coat, and was just about to open her door, when—when Nickie’s party arrived.
Impossible to go out now! In order to reach the front door, she would have to pass by the sitting room, and Nickie would see her and stop her.
“Nickie has absolutely no pride!” she thought, angrier than ever. “Even after what I said to her, she’d try to drag me in there!”
She took off her hat and flung it on the bed.
“I’ll read,” she decided.
She couldn’t read. The party disturbed her too much. They were laughing and[Pg 141] talking, and presently some one began to play the piano and sing. It was an idiotic song, but it was delivered in a hearty, boyish voice that was somehow very touching.