She saw Joan, and stopped.
"I was afraid I was going to miss you," she said. "Good-night!"
"Good-night!" said Joan.
The little girl—she was a head shorter than Joan—placed her hands upon her new friend's shoulders, and stood on tiptoe.
"I should like to kiss you," she said shyly.
"Oh, my dear!" said Joan, quite flustered. "Of course—if you like. There!"
She was unusually silent all the way home, and when they reached Manors said good-night to Mrs. Leroy and flitted upstairs to her room. The rest of the party dispersed ten minutes later, and Hughie was left alone with his host and hostess.
"I have never known that child have a headache before," said Mrs. Leroy rather anxiously, as Hughie lighted her candle. "I hope there's nothing wrong."
"She's as right as rain," said Hughie. "She gave up all her partners—every man Jack of them—I mean—I'm sorry! I don't think she meant me to tell—"
"You may as well finish now," said Mrs. Leroy composedly.