Before I knew what was happening I was drawn into the mad frolic, reckless of all the work piled up on my desk in the study. I thought maybe I was growing feeble-minded, but the way to it was delightful, if foolish.
Strangely enough, during this time Page Hanaford did not appear. We explained to Zura that he was present the day she made her brief call.
"Oh! do you mean the day I flew into the 'Misty Star' and right out again? Yes, I remember his outlines. Where did you find him? Looked more like a sure-enough man than anything I've seen in Japan."
Jane monopolized the talk at breakfast that morning, describing to Zura the good looks of Page Hanaford and the charm of his romantic story.
Zura seemed more amused by Jane's manner and the funny twist in her tongue than impressed by her description.
Miss Gray finally turned to me and urged once again, "Do let's have him to-night. I'll get the dinner."
Zura clapped her hands and said eagerly, "Oh, let's do! I haven't been to a party in a century. If Miss Gray will be the 'chefess,' I'll be assistant potato peeler. I can make the best salad. It's called 'Salade de la Marquise de Chateaubriand'; but it won't hurt you. It is only peanuts and cabbage. Daddy and I used to feast on it once a week."
There was no resisting her enthusiasm, and I sent a note to Page Hanaford asking him to come that evening for dinner.
After all there was nothing I could label a reason why he and Zura should not meet.