Jimmy glanced at the building and stopped. Several luxuriously appointed automobiles were waiting in front of it, and a group of well-dressed people stood on the steps. He felt that he would be out of place there.
“I’m afraid I must ask you to excuse my not coming in,” he said.
“But why? Have you anything of importance to do just now?”
“No,” said Jimmy with a smile; “unfortunately I can’t give that as a reason. I wish I could.”
“You’re not very flattering, certainly.”
“I’m sorry. What I meant was that I’d kept you rather long already, and of course one can’t intrude.”
She looked at him steadily, offering him no help in his embarrassment.
“You’re very kind,” he said with determined firmness. “But I don’t intend to take advantage of that by coming in.”
“Very well,” she acquiesced; and, giving him her hand, she let him go.
The calmness with which she had dismissed him puzzled Jimmy as he went away. He wondered whether he had offended her. He had, no doubt, behaved in an unmannerly way, but there was no other course open. Indeed, it was fortunate that he had kept his head, and she might come to see that it was consideration for her that had influenced him. Then he reflected bitterly that she might not trouble herself any further about the matter and that it would be more useful if he resumed his search for something to do.