Jim, scarcely trusting his voice, carried out a bow, at which much practice had been put in.
“Say, kid, how did I do that?” he whispered.
“Fine!” said Claude.
They found Angela strolling with a girl friend in the conservatory, which was gayly illuminated with Chinese lanterns. They turned at the sound of footsteps. Angela wore a dress of deep mauve, against which her pale Grecian face and her exquisite neck shone with enhanced beauty. The other girl was literally outshone by her 59 beautiful companion. Jim felt a hot wave run through him. Never in his life had he seen anything so amazingly beautiful as Angela. He heard Claude’s introduction, and bowed automatically. Then Claude did the most outrageous thing: he took the arm of Angela’s companion and tripped away with her.
Jim was horrified. He looked round seeking for some way of escape, but there was none. Angela’s face relaxed in a cold smile as she realized the terrible nervousness of this big uncouth man. It pleased her somewhat to feel that she was the cause of it.
“You are a member of my brother’s club, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Yep—yes,” he stuttered.
He wondered if he ought to offer his arm as Claude had done to the other girl, and escort her back to the house; but he dare not. There was a seat near by. Angela sank into it.
“Won’t you sit down?” she asked.
He did so, with a sigh of relief. He was more at his ease sitting than standing. For the first time in his life he was ashamed of his size. 60 Angela’s delicate limbs and hands made his, by contrast, appear elephantine.