She gave them their dessert and only Holton said thank you. She tried to expand this one phrase into a conversation but it was too difficult. So she walked over to the next table which was now empty. Slowly she placed dishes on her tray. She was near enough to them to hear what they were saying.
Robert Holton was talking about his job: “I don’t mind being in an office all day. I can’t see why people mind that so much.”
The dark girl with the big nose disagreed: “It’s much more natural to be able to wander around like you want to do. It’s natural to travel, I think.”
He laughed. Marjorie liked his laugh. He said, “You should get married, that’s what you should do.”
The dark girl became coquettish. “But I haven’t had any offers yet. Of course, I’m open to any.”
The bitch, thought Marjorie Ventusa, disliking her now.
“You shouldn’t have any trouble,” said Holton gallantly and Marjorie liked him for saying this.
“You’re just saying that.”
Then the girl with the blue eyes and the dull man began to talk together and their voices blended into the ocean-like sound of many voices in the restaurant.
They finished the ice cream.