Hughie did so. Mrs. Leroy nodded.
"It was like her," she said softly, "especially telling you to keep quiet about it. A good many women might have given up their dances, but very few could have resisted the temptation to make capital out of their generosity. Never tell me again, miserable creature," she continued, turning suddenly upon her comatose spouse, "that a woman is incapable of doing a good turn to another woman!"
"Cert'nly, m'dear," replied Captain Leroy, making a desperate effort to close his mouth and open his eyes.
"But of course," broke in Hughie unexpectedly, "there are precious few women like Joey."
Then he bit his lip, and turned a dusky red.
Mrs. Leroy, being a woman, took no outward notice, but her husband, who was a plain creature, turned and regarded his guest with undisguised interest.
"What ho!" he remarked, wagging his sleepy head.
"Good-night, old man!" said Hughie hurriedly.