“Isn’t it all wonderful! We’re having the most wonderful time!”
“Isn’t it! I’m so glad you’re liking it!”
Then presently there was an old-fashioned and lavish supper, with bonbons and laughter, and Sylvia in a red-white-and-blue tissue cap that made her look like a beautiful, proud young Liberty, and Gay mischievous and delicious under a pomponned black-and-white Pierrette hat. It was long after midnight, and the first good-byes were being said, when Gay found herself sitting on the first step above the dim landing with David.
“I discovered this place,” said David, panting, and wiping his forehead frankly. “You can look down on them and they can’t see you. Glory——! It’s warm.”
Gay sat sweetly cool and radiant beside him; her little slippers were planted neatly in front of her, not a hair of the bright waves was disordered, her skin had the cool dewy freshness of a child’s skin.
“Having a good time, Gay?”
“Oh, David!”
“What did you want to speak about?” he asked. For she had begged him for a quiet word.
“It’s this,” Gay began. She was still talking rapidly and earnestly, five minutes later, when Sylvia came tripping down behind them from the dimly lighted upper hall, with some well-wrapped women following.
“Sorry to disturb you! David, I think perhaps you’d better come down,” said Sylvia. “People are going.”