“Why should I be like June? You are silly. But I don’t mind. You can have your own way if you like, though I don’t know why you shouldn’t like Joan, which is my name whether you like it or not.”
“That is the only reason why I like it.”
“You are clever.”
“But when June is your name I like it better than all other names, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Oh, well, I will call you Joan, if June is not to your fancy.”
“No, have it your own way.”
“That is most awfully nice of you. I . . . No.”
It was not going too well. It was so hard to find anything to talk about, and she was not easy. There was a terribly strained feeling in the air, they were feeding on each other’s shyness. But it would be better next time. The ice must break.